Pub landlord wins regional 'community champion' award (From Borehamwood Times)

Three Crowns landlord wins regional 'community champion' award

5:10pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News By Amie Mulderrig

A pub landlord has praised the work and support of his staff and customers after he was crowned community champion in a regional competition.

Enterprise, a business which leases pubs across the country, was on a nationwide hunt to celebrate and reward their publican tenants who make a real difference to their communities, through their new community hero awards.

Michael Duffy, who runs The Three Crowns in High Road, Bushey, was nominated for the award by regional business development manager Luke Seymour a few months ago.

He has now won the title of Regional Winner of the Community Hero Awards 2012, and is in the running to be crowned winner of the nationwide competition.

Despite the achievement, Mr Duffy said if it was down to the support from his staff and customers that he had been recognised with the award.

He said: "I don’t really feel like a community champion, I just like to help out people raising money for charity when I can. It’s not all down to me either - staff play a big part in helping.

"I feel very pleased, but this award isn’t just for me. It’s for all my staff and customers.

"I’m very proud of all the hard work they all put in throughout the year.

"I was watching the Paralympics when I heard we’d won the award and it really puts it into perspective, what those athletes have accomplished. Now that’s an achievement."

The Three Crowns pub will be given a £5,000 prize, to be spent on community projects in the area.

Mr Duffy said: "I previously said I would like to help the scouts and I still do want to do that.

"But I’ve not yet made up my mind where the money will be going. I’m going to discuss it with the staff and customers. It can’t solely be my decision. It’s a win for the community, so it’s a community decision."

The pub landlord will be competing with 17 other publicans for the nationwide prize. If he wins, he’ll get a further £10,000, again for community projects.

The national winner will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Thursday, September 27.

Mr Duffy added: "I’m pleased with the regional award and if I got the nationwide one, that would be great, but I’m not pinning my hopes on it.

"I’m one of 18 like-minded landlords across the country just trying to do what they can to help their community.

"Whether we win or not, you can be sure we’ll be continuing with our fundraisers at the Three Crowns."