The Crown, Martley recognised for food and plans to expand

The Crown at Martley, which re-opened in February 2025 after significant renovations has already been recognised for the quality of the food and its pub atmosphere, being awarded two rosettes by the AA, alongside being finalists in two awards at the Taste of Worcestershire Awards due to take place on March 20.

But owner Robin Conway feels it is the pub still has "a lot of road ahead," with hopes to make use of the surrounding land to expand into a centre for the village.

"It’s been a busy 12 months, we’ve done lots considering we are a new business and a new team," said the 40-year-old.

The Crown has created multiple streams of income following its renovation, including a bar, restaurant, café and bed and breakfast.

The restaurant area at The Crown, Martley (Image: Tom Preece Photography)

The Bar at The Crown, Martley (Image: Tom Preece Photography)

The café at The Crown, Martley (Image: Tom Preece Photography)

The snug at The Crown, Martley (Image: Tom Preece Photography)

He explained: "It's a multifunctional space to try and ensure that we’re a sustainable business that can last for the long-term to serve a community. That is what these places are for, they’re hubs for the community to gather, to socialise, to celebrate."

The pub's food was recognised for its food excellence earlier this month (February 13).

"On your first assessment, two rosettes is the highest award the AA can give you," he explained. "It’s a great achievement within 12 months. We are also finalists for pub of the year and finalists for taste of Worcestershire at the taste of Worcestershire awards ceremony.

"We’ve done a lot in 12 months and it has been recognised which is great.

"I think we’re probably the closest two rosette restaurant to Worcester centre now."

Despite the outstanding response just one year in, Mr Conway and his team still harbour big plans for the future.

The Crown has built an outdoor kitchen that will be opening this year, alongside plans to extend the beer garden, however it could expand the site even further in years to come.

He said: "There is a wider plan in the future to utilise more of the land that we have.

"At the moment we have got great green space that we utilise for pigs and we’re going to look to expand that smallholding slightly, potentially going to have some chickens and some pygmy goats, something you can bring the kids along and keep them entertained while you enjoy a catch-up with friends.

"Potentially in the future we would like to build more of a village centre around the site, so potentially looking to build an additional unit that would potentially house something – a pet grooming salon, maybe a hair salon, a small farm shop, maybe just an office for local businesses.

"We would like to establish a farmers market on a regular basis, whether it is a monthly or a quarterly thing.

"But building more of a village centre around this site because this is the centre of the village, and giving people more of a reason to be here on a regular basis."