A KINGS Worthy pub has been named the best country/village pub in Fuller’s Pub of the Year competition.

The King Charles, run by Dawn and Darren Anchor, won the Griffin Trophy.

Over their six years at The King Charles, Dawn and Darren have invested hugely in the pub – including a transformation of the outdoor area, creating a space that attracts customers year-round. 

The King Charles is a real community pub – supporting a number of local causes throughout the year.

Dawn and Darren laid on an extravaganza earlier this year to celebrate the coronation of their namesake, His Majesty King Charles.

The Griffin Trophy is open to all Fuller’s 183 managed pubs and hotels and 193 tenanted inns. Following an extensive selection process, the 13 finalists were visited by chairman Michael Turner, chief Executive Simon Emeny, and marketing director Sam Bourke to choose the category and overall winners. The prize for winning the category comprises a £2,000 holiday voucher, a staff party, and an engraved plaque for the pub.

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Michael Turner, said: “The King Charles is a fantastic pub with passionate and hard-working publicans at its helm. Dawn and Darren make shrewd business decisions based on their understanding of their clientele – which has led to a successful pub that’s popular throughout the week. The pub itself is a pleasure to visit – Dawn and Darren’s investment of their time and money has really paid off in creating an environment that is inviting to all. 

“They also play a key part in their local community, supporting a range of causes – such as sponsoring the local girls’ football team and even fundraising for a defibrillator to be installed at the pub. This is a well-deserved award for the second time.” 

Dawn and Darren Anchor said: “We are delighted to have won our category again this year. We’ve worked hard and had a fantastic year so it’s great to have this recognised by keeping hold of our title of the best country/village pub in the Fuller’s estate. We have to thank our incredible team and our loyal customers – who all make running The King Charles an absolute pleasure.”