A Coldstream pub has been recognised as a Regional Champion and for delivering the best community experience to customers in Scotland.

Punch Taverns, the largest pub company in the UK, have rewarded the Besom, Coldstream with a 2008 Shine Award – which commends those truly exceptional pubs from its 8,400 strong estate.

Licensees Wayne and Dorothy Lewins won the ‘Best Community Experience‘ category and were also named overall Regional Champions.  They were presented with their award at a prestigious ceremony at the Mar Hall Hotel, Bishopton.

The Besom fought off tough competition from 12 other regional finalists who had been short listed from over a 1000 pubs, nominated from all over the UK.

Other category winners were Andrew Strang of the Roxy Café Bar in Girvan who won Best Food Experience, Didier Monney of the Pandora, Glasgow who won Best Drinks Experience and Anna and Mike Christopherson of Sofi’s Bar in Edinburgh who won the Best Customer Experience category.

Sue Allen from Punch Taverns commented: “What a fantastic event and a great opportunity to recognise these truly outstanding pubs.  We received over 100 nominations in this region so to be crowned winners is an exceptional achievement – well done!”

Licensees Wayne and Dorothy of the Besom were praised by the judges for being at the ‘heart of the community’, for their ‘exceptional retail standards’ and for ‘living and breathing customer service.”

Wayne and Dorothy are delighted with the accolade. Wayne comments: “It was an absolute shock to win. To get recognition for the work you spend your whole life doing is wonderful. We’re a really close knit community here at the Besom so a big thanks to the team and customers.“

As well as their trophy, Wayne and Dorothy also received a £500 gift experience voucher and will join the other Regional Champions at a prestigious Champions Dinner event taking place on 21st May at Hampton Court Palace in London.