STAFF at a Skipwith pub have attributed its award-winning success to the hard work of the family running it.

Best Western Monkbar Hotel manager Graham Usher and his partner Martin Firth took over the 19th century Drovers Arms in November last year, fulfilling Mr Usher’s lifelong ambition of running a pub.

The couple, who are entering the pub for Family Business of the Year, redecorated the ground floor of the pub’s restaurant area before holding a series of sell-out events at the beginning of 2014.

The whole Usher family got involved in opening The Drovers Arms. Mr Usher’s father helped with DIY, his mother painted and wallpapered his and Mr Firth’s flat to ensure they had the time to run the business, and his ex-wife also helps in the pub. His eldest daughter Elizabeth, 16, works part-time in the restaurant and also wants a career in hospitality.

“This pub is the heart of our family,” Mr Usher said. “We love our customers and aim to offer the best and most enjoyable experience possible, work tirelessly hard to achieve this and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Last month The Drovers Arms won a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence and was named as one of Welcome to Yorkshire’s Top 30 pubs in the region.