CAMRA regional Pub of the Year winners revealed

Covering the whole country, the top 16 pubs were announced by CAMRA on Friday 25 August after battling it out with thousands of pubs across the country to be crowned the winner in their region.

All 16 pubs will no go forward to the final of the National Pub of the Year 2023 awards with the final four expected to be announced in October before the overall is announced in early 2024.

National coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition Andrea Briers said: “I would like to congratulate every one of the pubs for their hard work against a difficult backdrop for the trade with increasing energy costs, business rates and the cost-of-living crisis impacting on people visiting pubs. 

Shining example 

“It is testament to the winners that they are facing these challenges head on and they are a shining example to what can be done.

“I would also like to thank their loyal customers who continue to support them in these difficult times.”

Pubs in the competition are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, and overall impression, but most importantly, the quality of live beer, real cider and perry. 

Last year’s winner was the Tamworth Tap, Staffordshire, which has once again reached the final 16.

Amazing pubs

Additionally, the Tamworth Tap was also named the Best Pub Garden in last year’s Great British Pub Awards (GBPA).

CAMRA recently called for pubs that had been “unlawfully demolished” to be rebuilt “brick by brick” after discovering more than 30 pubs could have suffered such a fate in the last six months, including the Crooked House in the West Midlands, which was set ablaze earlier this month and subsequently demolished.

Briers added: “There are thousands of amazing pubs across the country and I would encourage everyone to visit their local and seek out others where they live.

“Not only will that support local businesses, but pubs play a vital part in communities which we want to both protect, promote and see them thrive.”