Meanwood’s Myrtle Tavern has been shortlisted once again for Best Pub Garden while publican celebrates 15 years at the helm.
A Leeds pub with one of the UK’s most celebrated outdoor spaces is in the running for national recognition once again after being shortlisted for Best Pub Garden at this year’s Great British Pub Awards.
The Myrtle Tavern in Meanwood, which has already won the prestigious Best Pub Garden title twice, is now hoping to make it three wins after being named among this year’s finalists.
The latest recognition comes during a landmark year for publican Scott, who is celebrating 15 years at the helm of the popular Leeds pub.
For Scott and his team, the shortlist is the reward for years of continuous investment, innovation and hard work.
He said: “It’s unbelievable to be shortlisted three years in a row and it makes all the hard work worthwhile. It’s given us the drive to improve and continue maintenance, keeping our gardens looking pristine.”
Over the years, The Myrtle Tavern’s garden has become a destination in its own right, attracting visitors from across Leeds and beyond thanks to its colourful displays, family-friendly atmosphere and ever-evolving outdoor spaces.
At the heart of its success is a hands-on approach to gardening. Scott, alongside his father Peter and uncle Mick, spends countless hours creating and maintaining the award-winning grounds, with many of the flowers and plants grown from seed.
Scott said: “Our flower displays, baskets, rockeries and display gardens are mainly homegrown. Every year we create different themes. This year we’ve featured red and white displays to replicate the England flag for the World Cup, while our Christmas theme will be a blue and white Narnia-inspired Winter Wonderland.”
The garden has undergone significant changes throughout Scott’s 15 years at the helm of the Stonegate Pub Partners pub. Investments have included the addition of a marquee, outdoor kitchen and wildlife pond.
This year alone, the team has resurfaced the car park and completed work on a new outdoor kitchen. Plans are also underway to extend the marquee this winter, making it an even more versatile space for guests during the colder months.
“The garden is the first thing customers see. Its impact is there to wow people,” Scott explained. “The pub sits within the garden rather than the other way around, and whatever the weather, it’s something everyone can enjoy.”
The outdoor space has played host to countless memorable occasions, from private celebrations and live music events to annual Bonfire Night festivities. It also proved invaluable during the pandemic.
Scott said: “So many memories have been made in the garden. It’s what kept us busy and personally got me through Covid when we were closed.”
The award recognition is another milestone in what has been a transformative 15 years for Scott and his team.
Since taking over The Myrtle Tavern, he has overseen a full refurbishment of the pub in 2017, installed a new kitchen in 2021 and invested heavily in the gardens to create the venue customers know today.
“We took a pub that was nearly ready to close and turned it into one that’s now so popular,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built around us.”
Part of that success, Scott believes, comes from an unwavering focus on standards.
He said: “We obsess over cleaning and standards. Our in-house team cleans, paints and maintains the pub, and we regularly invest in making sure everything is looking its best. Every customer deserves to visit a pub maintained to the highest standards.”
Despite the national accolades, Scott is keen to share the credit with those around him.
“None of this would have been possible without the team,” he said. “Special thanks go to my dad Peter and uncle Mick for all their work on the garden and many of the ideas behind it, and to Shelagh, who looks after our rabbits and helps keep the garden looking spotless.”
Looking ahead, the team is preparing for another ambitious festive season. Its annual Christmas display costs more than £10,000 to create and takes around 400 hours to install, transforming the venue into a festive attraction for local families.
Among the highlights will be ‘Miracle on Myrtle Square’, a Christmas event featuring festive food, crafts, a Christmas trail, family entertainment and the opportunity to meet Santa. The pub will also host Christmas party nights, music bingo events and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
But before then, all eyes are on the Great British Pub Awards.
Scott said: “To win again and be on stage with the team would be incredible. We’ve completed all the work we wanted to do, and now we hope to enjoy many more years in this beautiful garden and pub.”
The Great British Pub Awards final is held on Wednesday 23rd September at the First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds.