TWO Knutsford licensees have reason to raise a glass or two after achieving a National Life Time Achievement Award.

Len and Linda MacDiarmid, licensees of the White Bear for the last 16 years, beat off stiff competition from 1300 other Star Pubs & Bars pub operators to claim the prestigious accolade.

With nearly 30 years experience in the pub industry, the judges were impressed not only by the MacDiarmid’s length of service but by their success in keeping the Canute Place pub as a thriving community local.

Chris Jowsey, Star Pubs & Bars trading director, said: “Building a successful business is a real achievement. Building such a business and keeping it at the top of its game year after year is an amazing accomplishment.

“When you consider all the other businesses and trends that have come and gone in Knutsford’s town centre in the two decades, Len and Linda’s achievement is a true accolade to their skill and to the enduring popularity of a good traditional pub.”

Len said that he and Linda were honoured to receive the award and added that the couple have got big plans for the White Bear’s future.

He said: “We’ve just had the outside of the pub redecorated and next on our agenda is the inside.

“The White Bear has been serving Knutsford for nearly 400 years and we’d like to keep it on course for another four centuries of service.”