WHEN you’re passionate about your business, an indication from an independent source that you’re getting things right is worth so much.
Which is why the team behind one of Wellingborough’s newest pubs were delighted to be named Pub of the Year in last year’s SME Northamptonshire Business Awards.
Just over a year and a half after they opened The Little Ale house on the town’s High Street, Tracie Clarke-Piggot and her husband Alan were on stage at the 2018 awards to collect their trophy.
The thinking behind the micropub is to return to the traditional drinking house atmosphere – real ales, ciders, wine and spirits, all served in a small bar where guests are encouraged to chat to one another without the distractions of loud music or the clattering of a fruit machine.
An intimate space, just about big enough for 30 or so people, The Little Ale House prides itself on its hand-pulled and gravity fed cask ales and traditional ciders. The beers (many of which) are locally brewed, while the ciders come from Somerset, Wales and Herefordshire. They are also in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, one of only two pubs to have this accolade in Wellingborough.
There are 40 premium gins on offer as well as malt whiskey and bourbon, and a selection of wines.
Having supported The Rust Bucket Challenge for many years, this June the LAH will have their own car travelling 2,500 miles around eight countries in Europe in four days to raise money for a local charity Children are Butterflies, donations to this can be found at www.Justgiving.com/fundraising/Littlealehouse
Tracie said: “We wanted to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where people actually talk to one another and a sense of community builds up. The first 18 months or so had been successful, and we were very pleased with how things were going, but to win the award was an additional seal of approval.
“You always hope you’ve got it right, and we think we have, but to win the Pub of the Year award was testament to everything we believed in.”
The Little Ale House is at 14A High Street, Wellingborough NN8 4JU.