The Bailey Head is Oswestry, Shropshire has community at its heart as a hub for locals to come together for good causes through events such as pub quizzes and live music.
Operators Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad bought the pub nine years ago after it was failing and listed as an asset of community value (ACV).
The duo’s dedication has resulted in the Bailey Head winning a variety of awards from CAMRA, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates, The Shropshire GOAT and TripAdvisor.
Licensee Duncan Borrowman said: “We have always had a policy of everyone welcome, any person should feel happy and comfortable coming in by themselves and enjoying a drink, either on their own or chatting to other customers.
“We thrive on being the heart of the community and a place where people gather to celebrate or commiserate.”
Constant improvement
He added: “While all of the focus tends to be on us as a couple, this win was also down to our incredible team of welcoming and knowledgeable staff and to our wonderful regulars who have become very much a community in their own right.”
Pubgoers can also enjoy an impressive plethora of cask beer and cider on the bar.
Fellow licensee Grace Goodlad said: “We are thrilled, we hope we can live up to the award. In our wildest dreams, we never thought we would win CAMRA Pub of the Year.
“From small beginnings nine years ago, we have taken everything one step at a time, through Covid, slowly improving to the point where we now have 12 handpulls serving six cask beers and six ciders and perries, plus 16 other draught lines.
“When we bought the pub nine years ago, it was failing and had been listed as an ACV by the local CAMRA branch.
“That listing made it possible for us to save it from potentially becoming housing and turning it into the pub it is today.”
Significant challenge
The town venue’s story proves any pub can become the best in the UK with hard graft, according to Shrewsbury and West Shropshire CAMRA chairman David Ricketts.
He added: “Huge congratulations to Duncan and Grace and their hardworking team at the pub.
“We are so proud our local branch plays host to them and I hope this win can bring plenty of new visitors to their doorstep.”
CAMRA awards director Laura Emson said there was not a more deserving winner than the Bailey Head.
“In a time when running a pub is a significant challenge, the commitment and enthusiasm Duncan and Grace show should be highly commended and seen as an example.
“January can be an especially tough time for our locals so please get out and visit them and provide the support that is so desperately needed for pubs across the UK.”
