Across six, seven, eight and even nine successive annual inspections, many of our pubs (in England, Northern Ireland and Wales) have achieved the highest-possible rating of five.

To gain a maximum score is difficult enough; however, to then maintain that highly coveted rating of five requires consistently high standards.

Among the pubs achieving a continuous maximum rating of five for the last six consecutive inspections are both Wetherspoon pubs in Carlisle: Woodrow Wilson (since August 2010) and The William Rufus (since March 2011).

Both located on Botchergate, Woodrow Wilson was first opened as a Wetherspoon pub in May 1998. It is housed in the building which once formed part of the Carlisle South End Co-op Society store, built in 1904.

Opened in October 2004, The William Rufus is in a premises once the site of various shops, including JS Hope’s drapery, George White’s long-standing grocery and Tom Ridley’s chemist’s.

Since taking over as pub manager in April 2023, Daryl now heads a team of 50 staff at Woodrow Wilson.

He started with the company 15 years ago as a bar associate at The William Rufus, working his way up to management, including seven years as kitchen manager.

Woodrow Wilson’s kitchen manager Sam has worked at the pub for three years and took over the reins in the kitchen in May 2023.

He heads a team of 12 kitchen staff.

Daryl said: “The company’s top-notch training is superb – and the team members are all well aware of what is required of them.

“It is not an easy job to maintain a five-star rating. It takes hard graft, especially in the kitchen.

“It comes down to training, information and hard work, with a team which has the understanding and desire to achieve it.”

Matt  has been at The William Rufus for 19 years, taking over as pub manager in 2007.

His team numbers 70, with 15 in the kitchen under the guidance of kitchen manger Zowie.

Zowie joined the company as a kitchen associate four years ago and has been in charge of the kitchen since May 2022.

Matt said: “Daryl worked with me as kitchen manager at The William Rufus before moving to Woodrow Wilson.”

Matt continued: “It is so important for the pub to have a five-star rating. Customers do look at these details – with the score reflecting how well we are doing our job.

“We have had the same local environmental health officer for several visits.

“Even with our five-star rating, we still have conversations about how we can improve further, with recommendations always welcome.

“Wetherspoon always tries to go above and beyond – and our hygiene standards are no exception.”