A WEST Devon pub is celebrating, after achieving membership of a pioneering standards scheme being run by Devon County Council. Andy and Rowena Whiteman, of the Harris Arms, Portgate, went through a rigorous audit earlier this year to obtain membership of the council?s CustomerFirst Scheme. Rowena said: ?When we heard about the CustomerFirst Scheme, we thought it was a great idea, as it is all about demonstrating the commitment of a business to the highest standards of trading in the county of Devon. ?To become members, we had to prove that we operate our business in a legal, honest and fair way. ?This includes demonstrating traceability of produce from our suppliers ? for example, if we say on our menu that our beef is from local Devon herds, we must be able to show proof of this, which our butchers were very helpful in supplying. ?This is a very topical issue at the moment as customers want reassurance about what they are eating and where it really comes from.? Rowena said she and Andy also had to demonstrate that they offered a customer-friendly service and responded to complaints in a constructive manner. Andy said: ?As far as we know, Devon County Council?s scheme CustomerFirst is the first local authority scheme in the country to receive national recognition by the Trading Standards Service and the Office of Fair Trading ? and we?re very proud to be a member.? Andy and Rowena took over the Harris Arms almost three years ago. Since then, they have scooped a clutch of prestigious awards for their food, hospitality and wine. Qualified winemakers, the couple have planted vines at the rear of the pub and this year had their first small crop of grapes, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. Andy said: ?We?ve got the trellises up now, so it looks like a proper little vineyard. Hopefully, the year after next we may be able to make a few bottles ? with a following wind and a good summer!?
