A SIX-year success story for Peter and Fran Whitehead was crowned last week when their pub, The Fur and Feathers at Herriard, was named Hampshire Life’s Pub of the Year – and the trophy and certificate that came with the title now takes pride of place on the bar.

The presentation was made at a glittering ceremony attended by 300 people in a hotel near Hook last Wednesday when Peter and Fran joined the other finalists for the various categories.

Peter said: “We had no idea we were the winners when we arrived. Apparently the finalists are chosen by a panel and then a mystery customer tries out the three pubs in the finals before choosing a winner. We don’t know who it was or what they ordered.”

The couple also had the satisfaction of being winners this year after being highly-commended finalists last year.

“”We are now Don’s Doors Pub of the Year, as they are the sponsors, and we are both pleased and delighted, but we couldn’t have done it without our hardworking staff. It is a team effort.”

It was just six years ago that Peter and Fran gave up running The Grey Friars at Chawton, owned by Fullers, to to buy their first pub, The Fur and Feathers. The pub had been closed for a while and they took on the daunting task of bringing it back to life.

It was very much a family affair as daughter Sophie and son Oliver were also there to support them and they will be back in the pub this Christmas – Oliver, who is at university, as assistant chef, and Sophie behind the bar.

Fran is head chef, and Peter said: “I’m more the bar and finance person.”

He added that it was Fran’s cooking, especially her signature dish of crispy duck breast, that has helped the pub build a reputation for top food and they have 16 staff to help run things.

As well as a good stock of local beers, there are 25 different varieties of gin to choose from and customers have the choice of 20 wines, plus Champagne, they can drink by the glass. There is also an impressive wine list.

“We always buy local produce when we can as well as local beers and we have two restaurant areas plus a bar where customers can just sit and have a drink.”