Windsor pub scoops £5,000 for its community work after national award win

The Swan in Clewer has scooped a £5,000 cheque for its community work after winning the Best Community Pub category at the Great British Pub Awards.

Despite being a historic part of the Windsor community for more than 300 years, The Swan had fallen into disrepair and closed its doors.

But in 2018, the community, Windsor and Eton Brewery, and The Green Room Foundation launched the successful ‘Save Our Swan’ campaign to restore the pub to its former glory.

General Manager at The Swan Micky Foden-Andrews said: “Celebrating our fifth birthday in July reminded us of the amazing support we have received from the community that banded together to save The Swan.

“We are committed to preserving the pub’s history to show locals the significance of what they have saved - a true cornerstone of our community.

“We take pride in being a community hub, where we strive to support any and all activities that people want to see or do. Our mission is to make those ideas a reality whenever possible.

“This award means so much to us and to everyone who has walked through our doors as here we truly believe that no one is just a guest - everyone is a friend of The Swan.”

Half of the prize will go to The Green Room Foundation, the charity behind the pub’s Green Room College, which offers a two-year on-site programme for students aged 16 to 19.

Students run the pub as a bistro and gain valuable life skills in a weekly feature called ‘Epic Thursdays’.

Beyond further education, the pub prides itself on bringing 22 local initiatives to life from ukulele groups to hosting Windsor Cycle Hub – which will all receive the other half of the prize.

The Swan also participates in the nationwide Chatty Café Scheme to combat loneliness, where locals can gather every Friday to socialise, ‘chatter and natter’, and build connections.

This is not The Swan’s first accolade as it won the Best Pub for Entertainment at the Great British Pub Awards 2020 for organising online community events during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola, who sponsored the 2024 awards, said: “It’s heartwarming to see how pubs like The Swan continue to be a linchpin for their communities, as well as a source of support for local people and good causes.

“We’re thrilled to support the amazing team at The Swan and hope this funding will bolster the pub and it’s role as a community hub.

“We look forward to joining them on their journey as they continue to bring people together and create connections and opportunities for everyone in the neighbourhood, across all ages.”