A much-loved family-owned restaurant and bar in Ramsbottom has won a regional award shortly after its fifth birthday.
The Holcombe Tap, which opened in 2018, has won the Leading Casual Restaurant award alongside another Ramsbottom venue, Colleens, at the "This is Manchester Awards, 2023".
Co-owner of the Holcombe Tap, Will Gallie, said he is proud to have been shortlisted both with the Holcombe Tap (Leading Restaurant Casual) and the Eagle and Child (Leading Restaurant Formal), which he also co-owns.
Speaking about the Holcombe Tap, Will said: “I had always wanted to open up my own place since I started out working in hospitality, that was the dream.
“My dad, Bill Gallie, had worked in the industry previously in his career but had become a teacher for nearly 10 years.
“We discussed the site that is now Holcombe Tap and started planning what we thought would work well in Ramsbottom.”
Will added: “When we were planning to open and get everything in place, the last thing on our minds was winning awards.
“We focused on getting the basics right and recruiting and training well to ensure we could operate a successful business where people enjoyed visiting.
“To have been shortlisted with the Holcombe Tap and the Eagle and Child was an incredible achievement in itself against the other great hospitality venues you would recognise from the city centre.”
The annual This is Manchester Awards took place on Thursday, November 9, and was held at Emirates Old Trafford.
Entries were all qualified and reviewed independently by the This is Manchester judging panel presided over by chief judge Nazir Afzal, former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West of England.
Will said: “We certainly didn’t go expecting to win.
“We were honoured and grateful to be there on the night and to have the opportunity to take our team to congratulate them on all their hard work.
“It was a real pleasure to socialise with so many industry professionals and people from the great city of Manchester.
“The awards team did a fantastic job on organising the whole event, it was truly amazing.
“When we were announced as winners of our category, we were ecstatic. I can’t tell you how proud I felt of the team, and the work they had put in to make this possible.
“I’ll be honest, I’m still absolutely buzzing now, as I’m sure the whole team are!”
He added that a special mention needs to be made to the "amazing" customers at the Holcombe Tap for their support and loyalty since our opening which "has been second to none".
Will said: “We definitely wouldn’t be receiving any awards without them.
“We posted on our socials prior to the event and the support and backing we received was outstanding.
“We then posted the news of winning and it was very humbling to see how proud everyone was of Holcombe Tap.
“Another mention has to go out to our team, past and present, everyone who has helped us on our journey to where we are today.
“We ask a lot of the team, we want to provide an excellent experience for anyone who visits Holcombe Tap and that wouldn’t be possible without the team of people who make it happen.
“Jacob and his kitchen team use local suppliers and fresh ingredients to design seasonal small plate style dishes that are designed to be shared.
“Lucy and her front of house team aim to provide great service and an atmosphere where you feel comfortable.
“Thank you to This is Manchester and thank you to our loyal customers and amazing team”.
Winners of the "Leading Restaurant Casual" award, Holcombe Tap and Colleens, were up against several well known city centre names.
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