A historic Warwick pub dating back to the 1600s has been selected from 2,400 around the country to be named Star Pub 'Pub of the Year' in the 2025 Great British Pub Awards in recognition of the contribution it makes to the community.

The Black Pug's publicans husband and wife team, Matt and Alex Crowther, who have five pug named pubs in Warwickshire, were presented with their award at a glittering ceremony at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds last night.

The prestigious ceremony was attended by hundreds from across the pub sector where winners were announced following a rigorous judging process.

Matt, and Alex, who was born and bred in Leamington Spa, 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.

Speaking on the achievement, Matt said: "It's fantastic news – we can't quite believe it. We're thrilled to be recognised; it's a tribute to our brilliant staff and regulars who've backed us every step of the way."

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.

The Black Pug, Warwick which dates back to the 1600s (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 sourdough 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 coming 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.

Star Pubs' managing director, Lawson Mountstevens, expressed: "This is an outstanding achievement and an accolade to Matt and Alex. They never rest on their laurels and are always looking for new ways to serve the community and delight their customers.

"The Black Pug is a superb local and an inspirational example of the important role that pubs continue to play in society today." 

Ed Bedington, editor of the Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, added: "Matt and Alex have turned The Black Pug into an institution for the people of Warwick and Leamington Spa, developing a pub that embraces its heritage while creating a cutting-edge modern offer, all capped off by a beer garden to die for."

 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.