A PUB which welcomes punters “from miles around” has credited its success to loyal customers who regularly return to enjoy its scenery, beers and top tier food.
The Shepherd and Dog, in Gore Road, Ballards Gore, Rochford, is nestled in the boundless Essex countryside and has made a name for itself as an ideal place to meet and enjoy a pint or freshly cooked meal.
It is popular with passing workmen and families, and as a place for residents of all ages to meet.
Manager Zach Lemmon, 23, said: “We’re like a little family. Some of us started working here from a young age, so the community sort of watched us grow up.”
“We see a lot of familiar faces. On Saturdays, a group of local motorcyclists come here for their weekly meet-ups.
“It’s very much a regular-run pub. They help us through the winter, and it’s encouraging that they like us enough to keep coming back.”
The pub is renowned for its real ales from local breweries, including Black Box in Rochford, George’s in Crouch Vale and Mighty Oak in Maldon.
Punters Tracey Discombe and Neil Paterson have regularly made the eight-mile trip from Leigh for two decades.
Tracey, 59, said: “There’s such a lovely feel to the place. It’s like coming home.
“My favourite thing in the whole wide world is to sit by the fire on Christmas Eve, with a glass of Baileys.
Neil, 59, added: “The restaurant is lovely and comfortable, and the food is beautiful. They’ve got cracking bar staff and chefs.
“You can’t run a pub just off beer these days.”
The pub offers and extensive range of food to ensure there is “something for everyone”.
Manager Zach added: “It’s all fresh and homemade, pretty much from scratch. Our steaks are cut to order by a family friend, who is a local butcher.
“We try to keep our meat and produce as local as we can.”
Fellow long-time punters John and Pat Buckfield make the ten-mile trek from Rawreth to visit their favourite watering hole.
John said: “We come a long way, but it’s a lovely place to visit.”
The Shepherd and Dog was brought back to life under the watchful eye of landlord John Slattery in 2017, after it closed for two years.
John said: “I put lot of myself into this pub.”
For more information, visit the Shepherd and Dog’s Facebook page.
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