Sara and Kelly Hirst, from the Black Swan in Ripon, are celebrating after being named winners of the ‘Best Community Pub Operator’ category at Craft Union Pub Company’s Operator Awards.
It recognises a fantastic commitment to supporting their local community.
They open up their pub to everyone, whether you want a pint or just somewhere to rest and a enjoy a bit of company. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to buy a drink if you don’t want to. The ‘warm’ welcome is there for all.
The Black Swan has also been named best community pub in awards run by Sir Julian Smith MP and ‘Best Business in Ripon’ in the St Wilfred’s Star Awards
The Black Swan has become a true community hub for Ripon locals, with Sara and Kelly putting on a stacked weekly events schedule to support the community.
Judges praised Sara and Kelly for taking the Black Swan, which was already an established local venue, to a new level of popularity in the past 12 months.
Sara and Kelly will be talking to David Dunning on the Sunday Late Show (16 Nov) at 10pm on YorkMix Radio.
From creating a weekly walking group that featured on ITV’s Lorraine, to founding Ripon Pride, now a council-backed annual festival, Sara and Kelly are always looking for ways to bring people together.
Their creativity and can-do spirit mean they never miss a chance – even creating a brilliant “floating pub” parade float in under a week to keep a cherished local tradition going.
Sara and Kelly said: “We’re over the moon to receive this award. The Black Swan and the Ripon community has always been our passion, and to see our hard work recognised at this level is amazing.
“We’re proud to serve our local community, and it’s so rewarding to know our hard work over the last year has made a huge difference for our customers, team, and community and we can’t wait to keep on supporting our local area for years to come.”
The Black Swan boasts a fun and varied weekly events calendar designed to connect people of all ages – housing the local darts and dominoes teams, running regular raffles, weekly music nights with live bands and DJs, poker nights, and showing big sporting events.
They host kids’ discos and seasonal activities too, from Halloween parties to Easter egg donations.
Their fundraising efforts are equally inspiring. From raising an incredible £48,000 to support a local teenage girl who lost her family in a car accident, to collecting £3,800 for a Ripon child undergoing cancer treatment, to continually supporting the local primary school’s breakfast club.
Beyond fundraising, they’ve decorated a local veteran’s home with donated furniture to help him get back on his feet.
Frazer Grimbleby, Craft Union Managing Director, said: “Sara and Kelly’s dedication to their community is nothing short of outstanding.
“They’ve built the Black Swan into a place where people come together, feel supported, and take pride in their local.
“Their passion and connection to their community truly reflect the spirit of what Craft Union stands for.”
