Buxton’s New Inn pub won Camra award after being open less than a year

The New Inn on Market Place was named Camra Pub of the Season at a special awards ceremony on Saturday November, 15.

The pub, which is owned and run by pub stalwarts Mat and Emma Blackwood, opened its doors at the end of November last year.

Mat said: “We were so busy with Christmas trade we didn’t know what it would be like in January and February but we stayed busy and we have seen returning customers and new customers make this place their local again.”

The pub had a bad reputation before they duo took it over.

Mat said: “People know we run a tight ship and good pub - there is no room for trouble makers in our pubs.” Over the years the couple have ran The Duke in Burbage, 53° North, The George in Hayfield turning failing or failed pubs back into booming businesses.

Mat said: “The council wanted to completely remove the alcohol licence from 53, but we managed to get it not only successfully reopened but without conditions - I said there would be no karaoke we weren’t told that.”

The New Inn had been on the couple’s radar for more than a decade but they did not want to be tenants.

Mat said: “I saw the signs coming down last year and knew something was happening so I rang up and was told it was not on the market.

“The next day they rang back and said it was up for sale.”

The inside of the New Inn is a traditional and tasteful Mat explains.

“We knew we wanted to create a proper boozer.

“A grown up pub with great beer and great atmosphere and we have that now which is brilliant.” The pub has won the Campaign for Real Ale, Camra’s, Pub of the Season.

Mat said: “This is a great honour and we are proud of our beer.

“It’s validation of everything we have done in the last year.

“And to get an award like this so soon after we have opened is testament to everyone’s hard work.

“We will be building on this and maybe we can make it into the Camra Good Beer Guide in the future.”