HISTORIC Newport pub The Lamb is celebrating after being recognised as a perfect business.

The Lamb, on Bridge Street, was described as ‘flawless’ according to investors Admiral Taverns' retail excellence programme, created to help licensees grow their businesses.

Out of the 1,200-strong Admiral Taverns estate, The Lamb was one of just three pubs to achieve a perfect score, along with The Riverview, Birkenhead, and the Black Horse, Princes Risborough.

The Lamb owner Jon Thomas was delighted by the news and said it was down to the hard work of the staff.

“It is fantastic news and great news for the team” he said. “It is based on aspects of the pub in terms of standards, decoration, and staff. We have a couple of things on the go at the moment with new menus coming out and ongoing apprenticeships. We are looking to improve ourselves all of the time. We have a good mix of customers and host live music on Fridays as well as a weekly quiz night.

“It’s great to have recognition.”

The status came following an extensive “Detail to Retail” audit undertaken by their business development managers, in partnership with each pub’s licensee.

The “Detail to Retail” excellence programme was established by Admiral with the purpose of driving high retail standards in all its pubs, to try to ensure they are the best in the business.

Admiral’s chief executive, Kevin Georgel, said: “It is an amazing feat for these pubs, so huge congratulations to their licensees and their incredibly hard-working teams."

“This is a fantastic achievement, of which we are all so proud, and really shows how close working relationships between BDMs and licensees can boost pub retailing.”