An historic Warwick pub dating back to the 1600s is one of six locals to be selected from 2,400 around the country to receive a prestigious Recognition Award from Heineken-owned Star Pubs.

The award recognises the contribution The Black Pug on Coten End makes to the local community. 

In further good news, The Black Pug has been short listed as a finalist for a Star Award in the industry-wide Great British Pub Awards. The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony in Leeds in September.

The Black Pugs' publicans husband and wife team Matt and Alex Crowther – who have five pug named pubs in Warwickshire –were presented with their Recognition Award by Star Pubs regional operations director Paul Linton. 

Matt and Leamington Spa born-and-bred Alex took over The Black Pug – then called The Millwright Arms – in 2019 when it was rundown and little used.

Since then, the duo have invested £140,000 and worked tirelessly to reverse its fortunes, transforming it into a great quality family and dog friendly pub that serves the needs of all.

The duo renamed the pub The Black Pug after their pug dog Captain to mark its new direction. It now employs a team of up to 40 people during the summer months led by manager Alice Huxtable.

Formerly the parish poorhouse, the Grade II listed building became a pub in 1880.

Black Pug manager Alice Huxtable and licensees Matt and Alex Crowther with their Recognition Award (image supplied)

The Crowthers have retained its character and charm – including the old beams, snugs and log burner – whilst upgrading it throughout and creating the biggest beer garden in Warwick and Leamington Spa.

Packed out on warm days, the space boasts an outdoor bar and kitchen, seating for 280 people, six covered pergolas for all-weather use and a private section that residents can reserve for special occasions ranging from birthday parties to christenings.

The Black Pug is known for its top-notch all-day food and drink, which starts at 9am with barista-quality coffee and cakes.

The menu spans pub classics, such as traditional pies and sausages & mash, homemade burgers, Sunday roasts and sour dough pizzas made from scratch.

Dishes are freshly prepared using ingredients from local suppliers. Bread, for example, comes from Warwick Street Kitchen and meat is sourced from a Coventry butcher.

Customers' four-legged friends have not been forgotten, either, and have a water station in the garden as well as their own menu, which includes Paw Star Martini and doggy fish & chips and Sunday lunches.

A friendly hub, where people feel comfortable to come on their own, The Black Pug is a meeting place for Warwick groups and associations like the local primary school and puts on a wide variety of activities to bring people together.

Events include painting classes, school holiday kids story times, bingo, quizzes, seasonal celebrations and live music nights showcasing up and coming musicians from across Warwickshire.

The pub gives back more widely, too. It is part of an annual pub walk – The Pug Crawl – that has donated over £2,000 to one of the UK's leading loneliness charities Marmalade Trust and supports the Crowther's Pug Stock festival in Leamington Spa, which has raised funds for Warwickshire childhood cancer support charity Shine a Light since 2020.

Says Matt: "We're honoured to receive this award. We couldn't have done it without our fantastic team – who go out of their way to make people feel at home – or the backing of residents.

"They have supported The Black Pug every step of the way and through all the challenges the pub industry has faced over the last five years. We're very grateful."

Comments Star Pubs operations director Paul Linton: "This award could not be more well deserved. It speaks volumes about the impact of The Black Pug as a community hub that is an asset to Warwick with something for everyone. It is also a tribute to Matt and Alex.

"It is thanks to their hard work, passion and commitment that The Black Pug is back on the map and thriving again."

Matt and Alex are founders of The Beer & Coffee company based in Leamington Spa which includes: The Royal Pug, The Fat Pug and The Micro Pug in Leamington Spa; The Black Pug in Warwick and The Lost Pug at Burton Dassett.