The Flyford named best pub in the West Midlands at the National Pub & Bar Awards 2021

The Flyford pub, located in Old Hill, Flyford Flavell, was awarded the West Midlands pub and bar of the year at The National Pub and Bar Awards 2021, joining 14 other regional champions. 

The popular boozer bested five other pubs in the West Midlands to claim the award, including The Riverside at Aymestrey in Herefordshire, and The Boathouse in Shropshire. 

Morgan Sanders, who runs the pub along with her dad Dave and mum Helen, said: "We are all still in so much shock of what we have achieved in less than 3 years of running the The Flyford, especially with over a year of Covid and multiple closures.

"I am so incredibly proud of my family taking the closed Flyford with no experience of running a pub and making it into the place it is now.

"All of this of course wouldn’t be achieved without the tremendous support of our loyal customers and amazing team we have across the pub and TOAST."

This comes as part of a phenomenal success story that has seen the Sanders steer The Flyford to national recognition in their first three years in the industry. 

Dave Sanders had spent much of his career in the motor trade before moving into property as well. 

After originally buying The Flyford to let out to a group to run, the family had to take the decision to manage the pub themselves after the initial owners "failed miserably", and they've not looked back since.

Speaking to the Worcester News, Mr Sanders said: "We have owned the Flyford for about five years.

"We originally brought it and did it up to let out for a group to run, and that failed miserably.

"So, we were faced with the choice of running it ourselves or selling it on, but we'd already put too much effort in to do that, so since 2018 we've been running it as a family.

"We've had fantastic support from our staff who have been really good, and from Bertie Davies who is our General Manager.

"It's a huge pat on the back for us, taking on a failed pub and then two-years down the line you're being recognised for a national award, that's a big achievement."

The pub was selected as the best in the county in July after entering the competition around 18-months ago. 

They went head-to-head with 93 other county champions at the ceremony in Euston last night and managed to return to Worcester as one of the successful few.

Their Head Chef Stuart Pretty was also put forward for Pub Chef of the Year, but unfortunately missed out on the night.

Mr Pretty has previously worked in some of the county’s top restaurants, such as the Belle House in Pershore and Browns Restaurant in Worcester, and he believes the fresh produce they use is key to the pub’s success.

He said: "Working with such high-quality seafood, makes us a real destination in Worcestershire.

"As well as delicious seafood, all our fruit and vegetables are grown by AM Bailey in Stratford, and our meat comes from The Butcheress in Bromsgrove, who farm a lot of their own animals."

Alongside their "stripped back rustic food", The Flyford has also introduced a garden restaurant and a dedicated breakfast bar called Toast, as well as setting up plenty of tented areas for diners to enjoy their grub during the pandemic.

The additions are testament to the remarkable progression made by The Flyford during a challenging period for the industry, with Covid-19 hugely affecting pubs.

However, despite their recent success, Mr Sanders insisted he and his family aren't resting on their laurels, with work set to commence on The Flyford's nine rooms to get them ready for guests to stay next spring.

"It's hard graft," he added.

"I've been in motor trading, and I've been in property, but this is the hardest thing to achieve quality."