Lickfold Inn named Best New Pub in Good Food Guide 2016

But now the Lickfold Inn near Lodsworth has been named one of the most promising new pubs in the country.

The Lickfold has been awarded the title of Best New Pub Entry in the 2016 Good Food Guide.

After being left derelict for years, it was bought by Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers last year, with head chef Graham Squire on the stoves.

Graham said the next step was to gain a Michelin star.

“We’ve only been open eight months but being on the guide is a great achievement –it’s well-known in the industry.”

He said next year the team hoped to be named one of the 50 top restaurants by the guide.

“It’s a great start for us. We had massive support from the community when we opened.

“We want to be here in another ten years’ time, as a destination pub. We really want to promote West Sussex.”

With a fine-dining a la carte area upstairs, the pub also offers a fresh take on British classics – all made fresh in-house.

Inspectors behind the prestigious guide said The Lickfold was a ‘strong new entry’.

The pub came back from the brink of disaster after members of the community launched a spirited campaign to restore it to its former glory.

Leading campaigner Caroline Neville said: “It’s thrilling to hear that the Lickfold Inn has been awarded best new pub for 2016 in the Good Food Guide.

“They deserve every accolade they receive. Their food is not just good, it is exceptionally delicious and Graham takes tremendous care with everything he makes. The service is excellent and the restoration of the beautiful old building has been done with great sensitivity.

“So many in the parish and beyond worked hard to save the Lickfold Inn from permanent closure – the outcome could not have been better.”

The pub has also launched Social Sundays, a monthly initiative to engage with the community where food and beverage stalls are set up in the courtyard area from 4pm-8pm each Sunday to showcase local produce and suppliers.

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