Pub battles council to win CAMRA award

A pub which battled council opposition to open has won a Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) award.

The Village Inn in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, may never have opened if licensee Oisin Hawes, had not been prepared to fight the council who feared the pub opening may lead to late night disturbances.

He overturned the council's concerns and the pub - the only wet-led traditional in the village - opened in 2006. It had previously been a nightclub but was shut for 18 years.

It has now won the Stroud district sub-branch of CAMRA's pub of the year award, and is on the shortlist for the national award.

Part of the pub's success is down to serving guest beers and four real ales brewed on site by sister company the Nailsworth Brewing Company.

Oisin, who received the award with Nailsworth Brewing Company brewer Jon Kemp, said: "We're not the type of pub where people come to get hammered, people call in for a drink after work.

"We have created an atmosphere which gives customers what we want, and where we can respond quickly to their needs. Chain pubs are formulaic."

The Village Inn also boasts a menu with a range of speciality pies and allows guests to bring in take-aways when the kitchen is closed. Entertainment includes a dartboard, book club and chess club.

Local CAMRA chairman Bob Brooks said the Village Inn "fulfills the role of a real village pub" and complimented the quality of its real ales.

He added: "The internal design allows many small groups to talk together without impacting on others. It acts as a social centre running a book club and chess group, as well as informal music sessions - largely unamplified and not intrusive."