DATE OF ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 2004

DEVON HOTEL WINS GREENE KING PUB OF THE YEAR

Eat, drink - you're welcome to stay,

When it comes to putting out the hospitality mat no-one does it better than a seaside hotel in Seaton, South Devon, and now the Eyre Court Hotel's skill at making locals as welcome as the residents, has won a top pub award.

In the face of tough competition - from classic city pub to quintessential village locals - the Green King Pub of the Year has gone to the Eyre Court Hotel, a family run hotel with a difference.

Licencees John and Noleen Maguire, received special praise from the judges for their mastery at running a lively local pub, a thriving hotel and a succesful restaurant and function business all under one roof.

As the judges said ''So often hotels are dreary places to drink in. Not so the Eyre Court. When we visited the bar was packed in marked contrast to other pubs in the vicinity. We are sure that locals will raise a grateful glass to celebrate John and Noleen's success."

Said John "To win the Pub of the Year is fantastic and a title we are particularly proud to hold as there were some outstanding entrants. But it's all down to teamwork and Noleen and I have brilliant staff without whom we could not have won".

Points highlighted by the judges included the obvoius hard work put in by everyone (staff are treated with the highest regard - almost like members of the family) and the discovery that the Eyre Court cared every bit as much for its locals as its regular guests.

'Perhaps this owes more than a little to the excellent quality of their casks ales for which they have a well-deserved local reputation", said Free Trade Sales Director for Greene King Matt Brown.

Given the huge range of pub styles and operations this was a particularly challenging category.

Greene King is one of the UK's leading independent breweries producing fine quality cask ales including Abbot Ale and Green King IPA. Among other best selling Greene King beers are Old Speckled Hen and Ruddles County.