Double industry standard for The Assheton Arms

The multi-award winning Seafood Pub Company is celebrating after news the Assheton Arms had been awarded an AA Rosette and 5 star status for its food and rooms.

Based in picturesque Downham, the Ribble Valley gastro pub has undergone a complete transformation in the past few months.

Refurbishment of the bar, dining area and toilets created more space for diners and customers who just wanted a drink in the bar.

Then March saw the official opening of 12 new en-suite rooms that have been created in the village’s former post office and neighbouring Ash Tree Cottage.

Altogether the refurbishment cost £350,000, but the Seafood Pub Company is confident that it was money well spent.

Managing director, Joycelyn Neve, said: “To gain an AA rosette for culinary excellence and 5 star status within a month of the changes is fantastic and all credit to the team who continually strive to make The Assheton the very best it can be.”

And it would appear that this double award is justification they “got it right” and in style, with the new menu devised and continually updated with “special dishes” by executive chef Antony Shirley proving as big a hit with the prestigious industry critics as with customers.

This is the latest in a series of awards The Assheton Arms has achieved since the Seafood Pub Company took over.

It was named the 2014 Ribble Valley Business Awards Food Business of the Year and Ribble Valley Stars in Tourism Awards Tourism of the Year and earlier this year was named the 2015 Good Pub County Dining Pub of the Year. The AA awards issued to the Assheton Arms follows hot on the heels of the 4 star Accommodation and a Dining award at the Barley Mow in Pendle and the Derby Arms’ 4 star AA accommodation rating.