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Preston’s Plau Bar and Bistro wins Pub of the Year

Posted on - 11th February, 2023 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Business, Food & Drink, Friargate, Preston News, Proud Preston, Pubs, Restaurants in Preston
The bar in Plau's vault, the space hosts lots of interesting events. Pic Lisa Brown
The bar in Plau’s vault, the space hosts lots of interesting events. Pic Lisa Brown

One of the Preston’s most historic food and drink venues is celebrating after winning at the Lancashire Tourism Awards. 

Plau Bar and Bistro, which has been under new management since November 2022, took the plaudits for Pub of the Year.

Jeremy Rowlands, owner of Meat and Drink group who oversaw the venue until it was handed over to the new team in November, said: “Plau was a real labour of love. The restoration and reimagining of a long lost inn which had been closed for some 105 years.

“We wanted to create something theatrical and make unique spaces in our narrow, rambling 17th century building. 

Read more: PLAU in Friargate closes doors ahead of relaunch with new management

Mark O'Rouke, Jeremy Rowlands, and Rebecca Rowlands, middle l-r, at the Lancashire Tourism Awards
Mark O’Rouke, Jeremy Rowlands, and Rebecca Rowlands, middle l-r, at the Lancashire Tourism Awards

“No corners were cut in the restoration and this principle was applied to the food and drink. We wanted to provide the very best artisan food, cocktails and beer, with top class service and it has always been our ethos to strive to compete with what you would find in the major cities of the world, not just what you would find locally.  

“The building restoration was recognised with a national design award and it’s great now that it has been recognised as a venue, as one of the very best in Lancashire. 

“When we decided to step back from the day to day running, we wanted someone to take it on who could continue with and improve on what we had started.

“We know Mark’s [O’Rourke] skill in running restaurants and his passion for food and service, through 263, Fell and Fino.

“Mark shares the vision for Plau and we are blown away with the food that is now coming out of Plau’s kitchen and think we have the best partner to really make Plau one of the North West’s premier destinations and wish him every success in the future.”

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Plau Bar & Bistro, inside a grade II listed and restored historic building on Friargate, now shares its management team with popular restaurant Fino Tapas, which was first opened by Mark O’Rourke in Preston in 2018. 

A spokesperson for the new management team said: “Plau has always been one of my favourite spots in the city and we’re delighted with the award and the opportunity to take the venue forward into 2023. 

“We want to thank Jeremy and Rebecca Rowlands who have worked tirelessly to create a wonderful venue and laid fantastic foundations.

“We’ve got big plans for Plau Bar & Bistro to ensure it continues being a place the people of Preston can be proud of. You should hear more about that soon.”

The building, which was The Plough Inn from 1795 until 1913, was restored over several years from 2014 to 2018 and is widely-regarded as one of the most welcoming spots in the city. 

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