THE Methuen Arms in Corsham has topped the bill as the Best Dining Pub in Wiltshire 2016 according to the Good Pub Guide.

Martin and Debbie Still, both 50 took over the running of the much-loved pub in November 2010 and have since tried to restore it to its former glory.

“We were absolutely delighted to find out. Our food is really good and it is great to get that national recognition especially for the team. The Methuen Arms was derelict and shut up for a year and so we’ve done a lot to turn it around,” Mrs Still said.

“When I first met Martin’s parents 29 years ago he brought me to the Methuen Arms and it was such an upmarket and busy place. It was thriving and slowly it lost its way and it was in a terrible state when we bought it so we gave it a major refurbishment and it was a really big project. It’s just amazing to think that all those years ago we came here and now we run and own it.”

The Good Pub Guide has been listing and rating UK pubs since 1982 and the couple, who used to own the Pear Tree Inn at Whitley, said that having previously won the award, they believe judges look for a combination of good food and service.

Mrs Still said: “I think it is the attention to detail with the food that must have helped in getting the title and particularly where we buy our food from. We are very in touch with our suppliers and we have our own hanging room here so we source the meat but can hang and butcher it ourselves. Everything we use in our food we try to get as much locally as we can.

“The Methuen is a community eatery and there is a community feel to the place.”

Since finding out about the award earlier this month, the couple now hope that the good news will encourage other business owners to open up in Corsham – a place which they believe has much potential.

“Corsham is a lovely market town and it has really great residents and it is a place to be in at the moment. I think the town is poised to grow from strength to strength and we want people to come in and feel special.”