THE New Inn community café in Halse and its manager Lucy Turner have been shortlisted for a national award for outstanding community businesses and inspirational individuals.
The awards are organised by the Plunkett Foundation, the national charity that supports rural communities and honours people who have gone above and beyond for their local communities.
The cafe, which is a part of the New Inn community pub, is located at the heart of the Halse community and is owned and run by members of the community.
Lucy took over as manager running the café when it opened last March as part of the project for the community to buy and restore the 18th century New Inn pub.
The café was developed from part of the old skittle alley in the New Inn and has been a huge success for Halse and surrounding villages and a community hub for this small area in Somerset.
Lucy said: “As a teacher what I enjoyed was that every day was different. Working in the café its very much the same with different customers, different ages and you never know quite who is coming in but I get to know them, help them and give them a nice experience so that hopefully they will want to come back”
“Halse is a village off the beaten track and some people were sceptical if the cafe would work but we’ve managed to create a lovely warm welcoming atmosphere and we get lots of people walking, cycling, horse riding who’ve come to know us and become regulars”.
Head Chef Jake Wilde, Front of House Manager Serena Spiller and General Manager Lucy Faulkner make up the rest of the senior team at the pub.
A member of the Halse and District Community Benefit Society which runs the pub and café added: “Whilst Lucy is a member of the New Inn team it is fair to say that she has had a great influence on how the café operates and has certainly pulled it all together using her vivacious, cheerful, friendly personality to make the environment right to ensure everyone has a good experience in the café.
"She personally spends time talking to all customers ensuring they feel welcome and valued.”
Only three finalists have been selected for the shortlist, with the New Inn up against The White Lion in Broadwindsor, Beaminster in Dorset and The Auctioneers Arms in Caversham, Stoke on Trent.
The winner will be chosen as part of the Plunkett Rural Community Business Awards in London on Thursday, November 17.
A spokesman for Plunkett said: “Our awards honour especially people in rural areas who have stepped up to make a difference.”
The Plunkett Foundation has supported more that 600 community businesses from shops and pubs, cafes and farms. Two years ago, the New Inn became the 98th pub in Britain to be supported by the Plunkett organisation.
The New Inn café is open four days a week from Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30pm to 3pm, for more information visit www.newinnhalse.com
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