Pub near Preston named in top 10 best places to stay

The Derby Arms, Chipping Road, is one of the region’s top 10 places to relax and put your feet up, according to the 2017 Sunday Times Best Places to Stay, which is published tomorrow.

According to the paper, their brief for being so highly ranked is simple. Comfort, service and value are essential, but other qualities such as personality and warmth are well received.

“We’re extremely happy to be chosen, it’s always nice to be acknowledged for the work we do,” said manager Christie Squires.

“But it’s not really a surprise because we have a really good team and we have standards that we pride ourselves on.”

As well as the Derby Arms, Moor Hall in Ormskirk also made the list. The restaurant was recently awarded a Michelin Star for its efforts.

Chef Patron at Moor Hall, Mark Birchall, said: “The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for Moor Hall and we are absolutely thrilled with the positive attention from Michelin, the Good Food Guide, and now being recognised by The Sunday Times, as well.

“Any success has been a tremendous team effort. We are a young business, but our chefs and front-of-house staff have remarkable backgrounds and experience that has come together to make Moor Hall very focused on delivering a special customer experience.”

Susan D’Arcy, Chief Reviewer for The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2017: said: “We loved the Derby Arms for two reasons: outstanding food at great prices, and a stylish makeover of what was once a deeply trad country pub. The menu is big on seafood: it has a brilliant Asian twist, and the Goan curries are excellent –rather unexpected deep in the Lancashire countryside. More local options are well worth a try: you can’t go wrong with the Goosnargh duck. The fish comes from Chris Neve, in Fleetwood – but his daughter Joycelyn is the real star here: her great eye for interiors has turned this 16th-century coaching into a style destination.”