THE Gate Inn is a much-loved pub at the heart of the local community.
It has a long line of regulars, some of whom have been customers for decades, and clearly knows how to be a successful business.
Hot on the heels of The Cosy Tea Room taking Mid Cheshire’s Best for Afternoon Tea award last month, The Gate Inn – the venue which hosts the tearoom during the day – has bagged this year’s Best Pub award.
In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 22 awards.
- Best for Hair - Fox Hairdressing
- Best for Pies - JD's Café
- Best for Nails - Blue Beauty Cheshire
- Best for Roast Dinner - The Bowling Green
- Best for Cocktails - The Grape and Bean
- Best for Breakfast - Zaza Café
- Best for Fish and Chips - The Corner Fish and Chip Shop
- Best Beer Garden - The Carriers Inn
- Best for Fitness – Lucas Debek
- Best for Tattoos – Face Base
- Best Independent Shop or Business – Pulse of Perfumery
- Best for Dessert – Layers Treats
- Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time Northwich
- Best for Pets – Happy Paws
- Best for Beauty – The Beauty Spot
- Best for Pizza – The Outback Pizza Company
- Best for Afternoon Tea – The Cosy Tea Room
- Best for Burgers – Burg ‘N’ Ice
- Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre
- Best for Curry – Bombay Lounge
- Best Café or Coffee Shop – Neki Café
Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant is currently taking place.
Vote for Mid Cheshire’s Best Restaurant 2024
Ten of Mid Cheshire’s most popular pubs and bars made the shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and The Gate Inn came out on top.
Damon Horrill took over at the pumps at Cornerstone Inn CIC The Gate Inn on Delamere Street in Winsford in 2012.
He decided to take on his own business so he could be free from employers and bosses having never been a fan.
Damon has previously been at De Bees and The Red Lion in Winsford.
Damon took over at The Gate Inn on Delamere Street in 2012
Damon, who is 56 and moved to Winsford nearly 30 years ago, said: “The Gate Inn is a community pub operated by a Community Interest Company with a remit to help build pubs of real value to the people living locally.
“The pub provides a quality food and drink service, a venue for special events and community gatherings and a varied programme of live entertainment and TV sports.
“It also boasts a lovely outdoor courtyard area and servery, and The Cosy Tea Room by day.”
What sets The Gate Inn apart from other similar places in Mid Cheshire? What makes them different to their competitors?
Damon said: “Unlike most pubs, The Gate Inn is not run hierarchically.
“It is managed cooperatively by the community of staff who, beyond working there, have committed themselves passionately to the development of the pub community and care to create great experiences for visitors, in the food, the drinks and the ambience.
“A sense of ownership and responsibility in the staff delivering the service and curating the space is not always the case and I’m sure this makes a difference.
“Also, not every pub has as welcoming and friendly locals who help turn first time visitors into members of their community!”
What do customers think about The Gate Inn? Why did they want the venue to win our latest Best of 2024 award?
One happy regular said: “The Gate Inn has brilliant food, service and smiles!”
Another said: “Couldn’t ask for better.”
There's a real sense of community at The Gate Inn
Damon said: “It’s the people who make the difference in our pub.
“The extended family that frequents the pub, whether staff or customer, I’ve never seen a pub with longer standing locals.
“The quality of the entertainment throughout the week is bound to make a difference too.
“Mainly we’d like to think people feel better looked after and safer in The Gate, that’s certainly the aim of everyone involved.”
The pub boasts a long line of locals and regulars aged 18 to 80 plus, who each have their own relationship with the pub.
Many have been locals for more than 30 years and the pub has new customers visiting every day.
The beer garden is popular with regulars
Damon said: “They come for the bar banter, the bingo, the coffee mornings as well as the quizzes, the roasts and live TV footy.
“They come for the award-winning afternoon teas in The Cosy Tea Room, a quiet drink or the lively entertainment and we host weddings and other celebrations as well as wakes, post-match butties and drinks, meetings and bottomless brunches.
“Whatever the reason for visiting us, customers can expect to be made very welcome by both staff and locals.”
Finding out that The Gate Inn had made the shortlist for Mid Cheshire’s Best Pub or Bar 2024 was a nice surprise for the team and “it means a lot to everyone”.
Damon said: “We are extremely thankful for all the support and we are thrilled for the staff, who truly deserve the recognition for all their efforts.
“On behalf of The Gate Inn team, I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to vote and for always seeing the best in the pub.
“The team couldn’t feel more flattered and grateful.”
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