Peckham pub collects double gongs

A Punch Taverns pub in Peckham has been crowned best venue in two prestigious regional award schemes.

The Gowlett Arms, on Gowlett Road, has won the ‘Best Neighbourhood Bar’ category in the London Borough Council and Independent’s Living London 2005 reader awards, as well as the CAMRA South East London Branch Pub of the Year award.

Licensees Jonny and Claire Henfry have turned the pub around since they took over in 2003, increasing profits by a staggering 55 per cent since last year alone, aided by an £80,000 investment from Punch.

Jonny said: “We took on the pub because, having lived in the area for seven years, we couldn’t find anywhere decent to drink.

“At the time Claire was seven months pregnant and although we had to work extremely hard we’ve been rewarded with a beautiful son Magnus and a successful business.”

Part of the investment included knocking the rear walls down to create a decked patio area with canopy where fresh, stone baked pizzas are served.

Jonny said: “We’ve placed a real emphasis on the community atmosphere, making sure every customer receives a warm welcome, and introduced organic wines, real ales and a food offering to appeal to a wider audience.”

The changes had an immediate effect in attracting young professionals as well as families to the pub and more improvements are planned including a large mosaic by Turner Prize winning sculptor Tom Philips.

Colin Hardy, business relationship manager at Punch, said: “Jonny and Claire have used their initiative to vastly improve the pub’s offering and I’m delighted their hard work has been recognised and rewarded in this way.”