Ex-England cricketers host 'thank you' lunch for firefighters

Following the re-opening of the Tap & Run in Melton Mobray after it was destroyed in a fire in 2022, the firefighters who served on the night were invited back to the pub to enjoy a 'thank you' lunch. 

Ex-England cricketers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney, owners of the Cat & Wickets Pub Company, extended an invitation to 28 firefighters from West Bridgford Fire Station who tackled the blaze to return to the pub on Monday 16 October for a personal thanks from the team. 

"It was amazing to be able to shake the hands of the men and women who tackled the blaze on that awful night and to thank them personally for everything they did," says Gurney. "For us, the Tap & Run isn't just a building and it isn't just a pub. It's the livelihood of everyone that works here, and it's so special to be able to look these men and women in the eye and say thank you."

Sam Featherstone, watch manager at West Bridgford Fire Station, adds: "It's very humbling to be thanked personally like this. It's very rare that we receive this sort of recognition, so it's absolutely lovely to be welcomed back to the pub and thanked in person."

The premium gastropub reopened in June after being completely destroyed in the blaze. The fire broke out in the early hours of 11 June 2022 after laundry ignited in a tumble dryer. Restoring and renovating the venue cost a total of £1.3m.

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