AS the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards are launched for their tenth year, it’s interesting to reflect on the impact that the competition has had on some of the winners of the last nine years.

In this, the second of the series, we turn the clocks back eight years and chat with Paul Hanna, co-owner of The Lamplighter in Northampton, which was named Community Pub of the Year in the 2010/11 Awards.

With a background in the trade – their parents Jimmy and Kath Hanna ran another very popular Northampton pub while they both managed successful venues for two of the biggest independent pub groups in Northamptonshire – Paul and his brother James bought The Lamplighter in the 2009 during the height of the financial crisis. Despite the challenging times, they were determined to make it a success.

“Back then the country was very much in the grips of the financial crisis and I know there were some who thought it was a daring move to invest in an industry that was struggling so much at the time,” said Paul.

“Looking back, it must have seemed rather risky but, given our knowledge and our desire to work hard through the difficulties we knew we might face, we were confident we could make it work.

“Which is why picking up such a prestigious title barely a year after opening meant such a lot to us. Not only did it totally vindicate our decision but the publicity that surrounded our victory definitely propelled us into the eyes of new customers and we saw a marked increase in the number of those coming in through the doors.”

While the leather trophy they won still sits proudly behind the bar near the bottles of Warner Edwards gin – as a freehouse, the pub supports a number of local drinks producers, including Phipps, Nobby’s and Maule brewing companies – it’s above those very doors that a number of other certificates hang.

“We were thrilled to be named CAMRA’s Pub of the Season for Autumn 2011 and again in Spring 2013, but the Carlsberg success remains the one that means the most to us, not just because it was our first but also because the competition carries such prestige – and that’s only grown in the last decade,” said Paul.

“You’ve only got to look around to see new pubs springing up or a new artisan cafe opening to see how the sector has blossomed over recent years.

“Some would say that’s competition for us but we don’t see it that way. We’re still quietly confident that we’re doing a great job and view that growth as only a good thing for the town.”

After manning the pumps themselves in the early days, Paul and James now employ around 24 full and part-time staff and are proud that, as well as offering craft ales, music nights and their very popular weekly quiz, they have also expanded the pub to provide upstairs dining – including their famous Sunday roasts.

They are also actively looking to take on a second pub – should the right venue arise – which would only lead to further job creation.

“So we’d like to thanks to the awards for what they’ve done for us, to our hardworking staff for their part in our continued growth and of course to our loyal customers and look forward to welcoming others who’ve not yet discovered us,” added Paul.

For more details on this award-winning pub, visit www.thelamplighter.co.uk or call 01604 631125 or find them on Facebook.

Meanwhile for more information on the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, including how to enter, visit www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk while you can also follow the Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodawards or on twitter at @foodawardsHQ