The mother and daughter duo behind a Blackburn pub have said “it is amazing” to be named as one of the region's best.
There are 10 businesses currently battling to be named the Lancashire Telegraph's Best Pub 2025, with The Drummer’s Arms, in King William Street, one of your finalists.
Hilary and Lark Carr took the reins in July 2019 and have “loved every minute” since, as their pub has grown into one of the region’s top destinations for real ale.
Lark said: “It is amazing, to be honest, it is a nice bit of acknowledgement that you are doing the right thing, and it is nice to know that people appreciate what we are doing.
“I would be in disbelief [if we won], and it would make the year, but it is nice to be recognised, and we are just happy to be nominated.”
Having both gained experience in running pubs prior to taking over The Drummer’s Arms, Lark said the pub offers a great atmosphere, which the pair pride themselves on.
She also added that it had been refreshing to see the attitudes that punters have towards the all-female team who work there.
Lark added: “It has been quite refreshing and people's attitude, and we have not experienced any negativity.
“It is nice to see how friendly everyone is, and people are very understanding of it. You wouldn’t have thought it was a female-run bar, and no one.
“Our atmosphere is our best feature because we really try to be welcoming.
“Everyone has their own experience in a pub, and you know what you would like and how you would like to be treated.
"People are coming in who have gone through difficult times, and we have a reputation for supporting people in the community.”
Renowned for its real ales, the pub consistently offers five beers from local brewers, and Lark emphasises the importance of supporting other businesses in the community.
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Despite the difficulties faced throughout the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, she added that they are just happy to still be in business and are enjoying every moment of the experience.
Lark added: “We have an attitude that we are still here and standing, and we are grateful for that.
"If any hurdles have come up, and deal with them as we can, and our attitude is to do our best, and it is such a hard trade to be in at the moment.”
The Drummer’s Arms wanted to thank their customers for their continued support and for nominating them for the competition.
Over the next two weeks, readers will have the chance to vote for their favourite by picking up a copy of the Lancashire Telegraph and submitting a voting slip, with the winners announced next month.
Each finalist will be featured in the Lancashire Telegraph in the coming days, highlighting what makes them a great choice.
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