We've introduced a business of the week article, highlighting a local, independent business featured on our Local List.

This week it is the Half Moon in Melplash.

Jamie and Clare Pimbley took over the pub in March 2018 after it had been closed for around eight months.

Clare said: "It hadn't been loved for a very long time, the inside was a blank canvas, so needed a lot of love to make it clean and tidy and a welcoming place that we wanted to be.

"We've done many different guises of hospitality - front of house, back of house - and when we came in here, we liked the appeal that it had been closed, we weren't taking on somebody else's business.

"We could be us from the beginning. It gave us an opportunity."

Hospitality was one of the industries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, but the team was able to offer food take away and deliveries.

Clare added: "They really kicked off after Martin Clunes [Doc Martin actor] mentioned them. We were already doing a good local trade, but when he did a breakfast TV interview and mentioned us and a couple of other local businesses, it took another leap forwards.

"The take out was a nice chance to say, 'we are here for you', because there is an elderly population in the village, and it grew."

Clare says they like to be the best at what they do and the team has a focus on customer experience.

"Which means great food, great service and the chance to showcase Dorset produce," Clare said. "If there's an opportunity to buy from a local provider then we will."

As well as local produce, the pub also supports local artists and photographers by showcasing their work on the walls.

Jamie and Clare were able to turn a pub that had been closed for months into an award-winning destination.

They have won the Taste of the West gold award for dining pub two years in a row, named Dorset Tourism Awards' gold pub of the year 2020, a Bridport Business award and a Bridport Local Food Group Lockdown Heroes award.

And a new menu is expected to be launched at the beginning of October, which will feature a lot of game dishes.

If you would like to join the team at this award-winning pub, they are looking for front of house and kitchen staff. For more information and to contact, visit halfmoonmelplash.co.uk

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