Pubs which went above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic are being honoured as heroes - and they don't get better than a couple who run a popular Notts micropub.
The hard hit pub industry rose to the challenge despite the pressures facing businesses during lockdown.
The Great British Pub Awards, an annual national celebration of the pub industry, have been adapted this year to shout about the great things pubs did during the global pandemic.
Amongst the finalists, out of 600 entries, is the Dog and Parrot from Eastwood, which is now in the running for up to £10,000 to improve the business or put towards a community project.
Owners Kathryn and David Boam rallied to make sure the most vulnerable members of the community weren't lonely and isolated and throughout it all "maintained the quirky D&P humour that everyone knows and loves."
To bolster mental wellbeing they set up video chat groups to those who needed it most and for those without the internet they telephoned them regularly for a chat.
They opened for takeouts and home deliveries. Struggling to find beer containers they filled milk cartons with real ale and cider for drinkers to enjoy at home.
With a safe area for collections, it rapidly became a space for people, who didn't even want a takeout, to see a friendly face and have a chat.
Kathryn said: "Since we opened three and a half years ago, people took us under their wing and supported us, so we wanted to be there for them. Anyone who comes in the Dog and Parrot becomes part of the Dog and Parrot family."
One of their customers nominated them for the award. Kathryn said: "I was shocked and really excited when I found out we were a finalist."
The pub is one of six finalists in the community mindfulness category. The winners will be decided by voting, so to show your support go to the Dog and Parrot's Facebook page and click on the link or via thegreatbritishpubawards.co.uk
Voting closes on Wednesday, August 26.
Ed Bedington, editor of awards organiser the Morning Advertiser, said: "We have always talked about the important role that pubs play in the community, how they are often the beating heart, or the hubs of the areas they're in.
"This crisis has really thrown a spotlight on that, with pubs doing some amazing things, despite the challenge that the lockdown posed for them."
