Pub with no bar lands improvement award

The Cock in Broom received the accolade from East Beds Campaign for Real Ale 
(CAMRA).

Over the last year there has been a massive turnaround at the venue, which is famous amongst pub aficionados for having no bar.

The historic pub was put on the market by Greene King towards the end of 2012 following the retirement of long serving landlord, Gerry Lant.

Michelle Rowell and Nick Smith took the helm as then temporary managers in February last year.

In the summer The Cock was bought by Mike Kane of Camelot Inns and the pub began to operate as a freehouse, with Michelle and Nick still working as the landlords.

The pub now sells four real ales on rotation and two real ciders, often featuring Potton Press, as well as serving food.

John Goodlet, chairman of the East Beds branch of CAMRA, presented the certificate on Saturday (February 22).

He described how the pub was built by William Browning in the early 1830s and licensed in 1836. It started off as a small one room beerhouse with three attached cottages.

The Cock, which has a listed interior, expanded over the years into a multi-roomed pub with no bar; ales are served from the cellar. It is one of only nine pubs left like it in the whole of the UK.

The range of events held at the pub have put it back into the heart of life in Broom, he added. Nick thanked Mike and all of the customers for their support of the venue.

The main East Beds Pub of the Year Award will be given to the Engineer’s Arms in Henlow in March.