The Rose and Crown: Orpington pub wins national award

The Rose and Crown, in Green Street Green, is one of 94 boozers to be recognised in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2021, and one of just three in London.

Despite the challenging conditions over the last 18 months, the pub has stayed in touch with the community, offering food boxes and roast dinner takeaways throughout lockdown.

The spacious beer garden

Andy Roberts, 37, has worked as general manager for three-and-a-half years.

He said: “The last year and the lockdowns have been incredibly difficult.

“Opening and closing pubs at short notice costs a lot of money due to the wastage.

“But we persevered and did as much as we could before reopening this year, offering food boxes and roast dinner takeaways on a Sunday.

“It didn’t make a lot of money, but we wanted to support and stay in contact with the community.”

After unlocking in April, The Rose and Crown has gone out of its way to remain Covid-compliant.

“Since we reopened, everything thing we’ve done has been meticulous,” Andy said.

The family-owned pub boasts a spacious interior large beer garden, with an outside bar, BBQ shack and even play equipment for children.

Andy added: "I think the product we put out is very good.

"We get a lot of compliments in house and the general feel of the place is spot on.

"I’d like to think we’ve won because all we deliver is good."

The 94 winners are invited to a red carpet celebration in Euston Square on September 6.

The National Pub & Bar Awards aims to "put the finest on-trade businesses across the UK in the national spotlight, showcasing just how diverse and creative the hospitality industry really is, as well as how these inspirational operations have survived the pandemic".