‘I’m walking on air’: Landlady ecstatic as Northampton pub nominated for national ‘lockdown hero’ award

A local pub that has been going above and beyond during the pandemic has been nominated for a national ‘lockdown hero’ award.

The Swan and Helmet in Grove Road started helping out vulnerable members of the community at the start of lockdown while the pub was shut.From delivering food parcels and hot meals, to starting a food bank, the landlady and her team of volunteers were a lifeline to many families.

Now, despite the pub reopening, the team has continued to help the community with garden and home makeovers and the start of a new food larder.Landlady Teresa McCarthy-Dixon has even started a registered charity so she can continue to lend a helping hand.The hard work of the team and the charity is now being recognised, as the McCarthy-Dixon Foundation has been nominated for the ‘Outstanding Business of Lockdown’ at the Hospitality Lockdown Heroes Awards.

Teresa, who has run the pub for 14 years, said: “During lockdown, I was so consumed by what I was doing.

“Now I look back and see the reaction and all the people we helped have been sending thank you cards.

“What we did was huge and amazing, but I didn’t think it at the time.”

Teresa was not aware that a member of the community had nominated the foundation for the award and only found out when someone else shared it on social media.

She added: “When I found out I felt like I was walking on air the whole day.

“I’m so delighted and being a finalist is enough for me, I feel like I have already won.

“We can all walk away from it knowing we did our absolute best and we’ve been recognised for that.

“Everyone I know, even on the school run, is chuffed and rooting for us.

“To win would be a fantastic achievement not only for myself but for all the volunteers that have worked really hard, but a lot of groups in this are big and have been doing amazing work too."

The ‘Outstanding Business of Lockdown’ award recognises a business for its dynamism, resourcefulness and support during the pandemic.

Teresa and the foundation is up against five other businesses from across the country, the winner of which will be announced at the virtual awards ceremony on September 22.

Votes can be cast here, until voting closes on September 18.

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