Herne micropub landlord awarded MBE for services
Phil Harrison/BBCA Herne micropub landlord has been awarded an MBE for his services to hospitality, business and for founding the Micropub Association.
Martyn Hillier will collect the award from Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
The Butchers Arms opened in the Kent village almost 20 years ago in 2005.
He told BBC Radio Kent the honour was beyond his "wildest dreams" but initially believed a letter he received informing him of it was "a prank" by customers.
The tiny micropub does not have a bar, with Mr Hillier instead offering table service.
"Micropubs are so important because they bring the community back together again talking to each other," he said.
"The big pubs tend to play music, TV and try and stop you from talking, whereas micropubs encourage you to talk to strangers."
He added that because there was no background music, "after eight seconds somebody will crack and start talking about something they've seen on TV or what's happened with the local car park charges".
Phil Harrison/BBCBut while he is proud of the business he has built up, the MBE came as a surprise.
"When the letter came through I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a prank by my customers," he said.
But a phone call to Buckingham Palace confirmed the news.
"It's beyond my wildest dreams... I'm going to Windsor Castle collecting the MBE from King Charles III."
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