A PAIR of landlords from Poole are celebrating winning a community pub of the year award.

Mark Garrett and partner Lisa Ballett, who have run The Pilot in Adastral Road for seven years, were awarded the title at Marston’s Taverns and Leased Partners Pub Awards 2016.

The Pilot fended off competition from the entire Marston’s estate of over 1,400 pubs across the country to win the accolade, which celebrates and rewards excellence.

Judges praised the pub for its “welcoming atmosphere” and its “efficient” management. They said among hosting everything from live music to charity awareness events, the pub ensures it remains as open and hospitable to its customers by making it the heart of the community.

Lisa said: “This award is really a credit to our staff, both past and present, as they have really got us to where we are now.”

She added: “It has been really amazing to get this award. Our regular customers and staff are like our second family and really are our biggest asset. This, along with the support of Marston’s, has helped to put the pub on the map.

“We are looking forward to having the award in pride of place now.”

The pub’s win comes six years after it first won the community pub of the year award for the southern region.

At the time, Lisa and Mark were commended for turning round the pub’s fortunes as it had not enjoyed the best reputation in the past.

Rod Walker, head of taverns for Marston’s, commented on The Pilot’s latest award, which was given at a ceremony at Grand Station, Wolverhampton on October 27.

“You just know when a pub is well-run,” he said.

“There is such a welcoming atmosphere on entering The Pilot. You can clearly see the customers enjoying themselves and that is all down to the efficient and well-executed management of the pub.

“Mark and Lisa know how to run a fantastic pub, and it’s endearing that they are so unassuming in their ability to do an amazing job – well done to them.”

The Pilot, the first pub on the heath, was opened as The Fighter Pilot in 1970 by legendary wartime hero Douglas Bader, and dedicated to Battle of Britain fighter pilots.