A FAMILY-run pub retreat at the heart of a New Forest community has picked up a hat-trick of wins at a prestigious industry awards event. 

The Stag at Lyndhurst won Pub Team of the Year, Community Pub of the Year and the overall prize of Pub of the Year 2023 at the Night of Excellence Awards, which celebrates the success of Greene King pub partners. 

Staff at the grade II listed building nestled in the national park on Lyndhurst's bustling High Street won the overall prize of Pub of the Year 2023 for exceedingly high standards in a large range of areas.

These included customer service, food, meeting vegan and dietary requirements, providing a child-friendly environment and a great Sunday roast.

READ MORE: Hampshire riverside inn The Mayfly named pub of the year

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The Stag picked up the Pub Team of the Year award in recognition of licensees Steve and Maria Harris' commitment to both developing and supporting their entire team professionally and personally.

The pub was also awarded Community Pub of the Year for its pivotal role as a social hub in Lyndhurst, providing regular entertainment for locals including quizzes, live music and drag nights, plus raising £25,000 over 18 months for good causes. Judges also commended the pub for providing its space free of charge to community groups.

The great news for Steve and Maria comes as they re-opened their other business, The Old Mill Hotel in Salisbury following a £300,000 refurbishment.

Daily Echo:

The awards were held at a grand ceremony and dinner hosted at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

Speaking at the event, licensees Steve and Maria said: "We are lost for words. We cannot quite believe it! To have won not one but three awards including Pub of the Year is incredible!

"When we took on The Stag in 2021, we wanted to create a brilliant pub at the heart of the community which looked after its team. These awards show we have set out what we achieved to do.

“We’d like to dedicate all three of these awards to our brilliant team and customers. These awards are thanks to you."

Daily Echo:

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