AN Orsett pub is one of six locals to be selected from 2,400 around the country to receive a prestigious Recognition Award from Heineken-owned Star Pubs and is the only one in the South East.
The award recognises the contribution The King’s Arms on Stifford Clays Road makes to the local community. In further good news The King’s Arms has also been short listed as a finalist for a Star Award in the industry-wide Great British Pub Awards. The winner will be announced at a gala ceremony in Leeds in September.
The Kings Arms publicans, mother and daughter, Vicki and Jade Gracie, were presented with their Recognition Award by Star Pubs regional operations director, Rob Clark.
Vicki took on The King’s Arms in October 2023 following a £160,000 refurbishment of the pub. She lived across the road from the pub and had once worked there. Concerned about its future, she wanted to ensure the pub became a real community hub.
The Kings Arms has gone from strength to strength since Vicki took it on, establishing a reputation for food, events and a friendly atmosphere. It now employs 12 people including four chefs.
Both florists, Vicki and Jade have a talent for decoration and bringing events to life. They offer villagers a busy schedule of events, bringing the community together, from Morris Dancers and tribute acts to Grease, Mama Mia or Michael Jackson theme nights where the room and menu are tailored to the theme, music is played and staff dress up. The recent VE Day celebrations included an old-fashioned mutton stew and spotted dick and spam fritter, and a vintage singer entertaining. Young men danced with older ladies and fun was had by all.
Kids are also catered for. There’s the Easter Breakfast – an opportunity to meet the Easter bunny or a Willy Wonka chocolate inspired tea with party; a Halloween pumpkin decorating party; and a Christmas breakfast with Santa, a shed converted into a Christmas grotto and an opportunity to meet the naughty elf, Olaf from Frozen. Vicki and Jade spent six months planning a Christmas market last year, which they had to cancel at the last moment due to high winds.
The pub’s three weekly quiz night attracts up to 40 people with the Christmas one booking out the pub completely. A light-hearted event, the quiz involves Christmas games and last year was as Vicki says ‘great fun and complete carnage!’
The pub raises funds for good causes that resonate with regulars and offers its small function room to charities to use free of charge. It is also hired out twice a week for birthdays, baby showers and family gatherings.
Lots of community groups now use the pub from school teachers and Thurrock council to the WI, Mason’s wives and walkers.
As for the future, Vicki and Jade plan to revamp the pub’s courtyard garden adding pods, benches and greenery to create a suntrap and lovely place for alfresco eating and drinking.
Says Vicki: “Jade and I are thrilled to receive this award and blown away to have been announced as finalists in the Great British Pub Awards. It’s lovely to be recognised. But most of all we’re proud that The King’s Arms has become the beating heart of the community. It’s a warm and welcoming pub where everyone is welcome and where women feel safe coming in on their own.
“A lot of regulars have lived in the area all their lives. Most days if I am out serving someone will come up and thank me for what we’ve done at The King’s Arms, saying we should be really proud of ourselves for how we have turned things around.
“Two years’ on running The King’s Arms has more than lived up to our expectations and dreams. We love bringing joy into people’s lives and bringing the community together.
“So, thank you to Orsett residents for all of your support and playing your part in this award success.”
Says Rob Clark: “Only a handful out of 2400 pubs have been selected for an award this year and only one in the South East – The King’s Arms in Orsett. It speaks volumes about the impact Vicki and Jade have had on the local Orsett community since taking on The King’s Arms and their hard work, passion and commitment to both The King’s Arms and Orsett itself.
“It’s not just Star Pubs that recognises what a great local The King’s Arms is and appreciates the fantastic mother and daughter team who run it. The King’s Arms is thriving. So, congratulations to Vicki and Jade from Star Pubs and on behalf of your many happy regulars and wishing you the best of luck from us all in the Great British Pub Awards later this year. Cheers!”
