A SOUTH East Cornwall pub that was in danger of closing its doors for good just two years ago has now made the final six shortlist for a British pub of the year award.

Voting for the ultimate accolade is open to the general public, so the chances of the little watering hole in the hamlet of Upton Cross, near Liskeard, being crowned champion is remote, because the other five nominations are from bigger, more densely populated areas of the country.

Anyone can vote, however – it takes only a couple of minutes on-line – and The Caradon Inn, on the edge of Bodmin Moor, is hoping that as well as its loyal friends and customers, other people, who want to see Cornwall gain national exposure, will give their support, too.

But win or lose in the ‘The Great British Pub Awards – Pub Heroes 2020’ Alan and Sarah Collings have already done a remarkable job since saving The Caradon Inn from becoming just another statistic in the story of watering holes drying up for good.

The Caradon has been shortlisted as in the ‘Pub Shop’ category, sponsored by Booker Makro, and a spokesman for the licensed trade said: ‘It’s a fantastic achievement to be part of the final shortlist in these categories and The Caradon Inn should be immensely proud of what they have done during such a difficult time for all pubs across the country.’ 

The young, hard-working and enterprising Collings family could take home £10,000 to fund a business improvement, upgrade or to put towards a community project, all courtesy of Coca-Cola.

Recalled Alan: ‘When we re-opened the pub, a common theme of bar chit-chat was: “Perhaps we can get our village shop back next.”’

It was a plaintive cry from those in a small rural parish where life had stood still; overtaken by the bustle of nearby towns and supermarkets.

‘I heard them… but we had enough on our plate!’ said Alan. ‘The pub had been neglected for far too long and the ‘To Do’ list was growing by the day.’

Within 12 months, however, Alan and Sarah along with children Alfie and Emily, had breathed life into the former mining hinterland. Then COVID-19 struck.

Shutting the doors, they were left reflecting on whether their endeavour and investment had all been in vain.

But standing still has never been in their DNA. ‘If the village wanted its shop back, then why not?’ thought Sarah.

A host of ’phone calls later and the bar resembled Arkwright’s shop in the sitcom Open All Hours.

But it didn’t end there. While toilet rolls and flour were flying off the bar, Alan went back to the kitchen, turning his hand to baking.

And once pasties, quiches and turnovers were in the oven, he swapped his chef’s whites for overalls and created a mini garden centre, adding hanging baskets, plants and vegetable seedlings to the menu.

In the space of a few months, The Caradon Inn had become as loved for its ‘shops within a shop’ as for its beers, steak and ale cobblers and Sunday roasts. Said Alan: ‘We listened to what our regulars wanted and delivered. Like the fictional Topsy, our range of stock grew. And grew.

‘Who’d have thought that garden compost would become the new toilet paper on shoppers’ lists? But we had to ship in pallets of the stuff from Scotland just to keep up with demand.’

Most of the other staples, like milk, honey, cheese and milk, were sourced locally. The couple also added a utility bill payment facility, and delivered to those shielding. 

Rewarding

‘We’re currently looking at a prescription collection service and a newspaper rack,’ said Sarah. ‘We’re already converting the old breakfast room into a fully functional shop and have also taken over a piece of waste ground for a long-term nursery with a state-of-the-art poly tunnel.

‘It’s hard work, but seeing the smiles on the faces of our village friends has been so rewarding.’

Hopefully, the country will be coming out of total lockdown soon but whatever changes lie ahead, the Collings family are determined to keep their ‘Shop@theInn’ going for as long as it is supported.

Essential building works on the historic pub – it’s believed to date from the time copper and tin mining workers sought refreshment after sending their spoils on the railway to Liskeard and on to Looe for export by sea – have delayed the re-opening.

The property, neglected for years, needed a new roof and the chimneys, deemed unstable on public safety grounds, had to be replaced.

But even when they throw open the doors again later this month, the village will still have a shop. And a bakery. And a garden centre. And, of course, a pub…

Voting continues until Wednesday (August 26) via the web link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GBPA-Pub-Shop.

Others in the running are the Plough at St Albans; the King’s Head, Hailsham, Sussex; the Spread Eagle, Bolton; The Wiremill, Lingfield, Surrey; and Tuddenham Lodge, Dereham, Norfolk.