Ex-England cricketers host 'thank you' lunch for firefighters

The emergency servicemen saved the Tap & Run pub in Melton Mowbray.

Stuart Broad, Harry Gurney and 28 members of West Bridgford Fire Station attended the lunch.

The Tap & Run in Melton Mowbray was destroyed in a blaze last year. Having reopened in June, the firefighters who served on the night were invited to return to the pub for a 'thank you' lunch.

Owners and ex-England cricketers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney extended an invitation for lunch to the 28 firefighters from West Bridgford Fire Station who tackled the blaze. They returned to the pub on October 16 to be thanked personally by the team.

"It was amazing to be able to shake the hands of the men and women who tackled the blaze on that awful night and to thank them personally for everything they did," said managing director Harry Gurney. "To us, the Tap & Run isn't just a building, and it isn't just a pub. It's the livelihood of everyone that works here, and it’s so special to be able to look these men and women in the eye and say thank you."

Sam Featherstone, Watch Manager at West Bridgford Fire Station commented: "It's very humbling to be thanked personally like this. It's very rare that we receive this sort of recognition, so it's absolutely lovely to be welcomed back to the pub and thanked in person."

The much-loved premium gastro pub reopened its doors to the public on Monday, June 26, 2023 after it was destroyed in a fire in June 2022. £1.3million was spent on restoring and renovating the pub following the fire, which broke out in the early hours of June 11, 2022 after laundry ignited in a tumble dryer.

The pub received a hugely warm welcome following its re-opening, welcoming nearly 1,000 customers through its doors in its first week alone.

For more information about the Tap & Run, or to book a table, please visit the website.