West Dorset publicans John & Geraldine Baker know what it takes to run a fantastic pub. The couple who have been landlords at the Ropemakers in Bridport for over eight years have won Palmers Brewery’s first Licensee of the Year Award.

John & Geraldine were selected from Palmers Brewery’s 54 pubs by a team of judges from the brewery for their on-going work at the Bridport town centre pub and in particular for the many successes they have had in 2015.

A delighted John Baker said that ‘Geraldine and I were gobsmacked. It has been amazing year for us at the Ropemakers and winning the Licensee of the Year has really topped 2015 off. It is great for the pub and great for our team. Thank you to all our customers who make the Ropemakers such a special place.’

The Licensee of the Year is the latest in a long line of awards that the Ropemakers have scooped over 2015 including winning Palmers Master Cellarman of the Year, Runners-up in the Palmers Wine Pub of the Year, Winners of Garden in Bloom and winning the Taste of Dorset Community Pub the Year.

‘John & Geraldine really do an amazing job in the Ropemakers’, said John Palmer, Palmers Chairman & Managing Director, presenting the award, ‘they are always working to improve the pub and add new facets to the business to attract customers’.

‘Whether it is Jazz night, Cheese Club, the Friday Meat Draw, Quiz Night, morning coffee, a light lunch, dinner, late night music or charity weekends, John and Geraldine offer something for everyone at the Ropemakers’, added Jayson Perfect, Palmers Tenanted Trade Director, ‘this is why they are so successful because everyone who visits the Ropemakers feels that they have a stake in the pub.

‘The Ropemakers have excelled in all our competitions this year and this award is in recognition of this. Congratulations John & Geraldine and all their team, have a fantastic Christmas.’