The Old Spot Inn, Dursley - 01453 542870 - Newspaper Articles - CAMRA

Champion: The Old Spot, Gloucestershire
	Old Spot, Hill Road, Dursley, Gloucestershire. GL11 4JQ. (01453 542870) "The Old Spot Inn is a great example of how successful a well-run community pub can be." Julian Hough, CAMRA's Pubs Director.
The Old Spot was yesterday crowned National Pub of the Year, as voted for by CAMRA members and regional judges. The National Pub of the Year award is part of CAMRA's Community Pubs Week (16-23 February 2008) to promote the importance of pubs in local communities. Steve Herbert, licensee of the Old Spot Inn, said “I am overwhelmed at winning the National Pub of the Year award. To be judged the best pub in Britain is a dream come true." The Old Spot was chosen from four finalists, which were picked last year from 16 regional champions.
The Three Runners Up
	Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkcolm, Dumfries & Galloway. DG9 0NL (01776 853221) "The pub serves a fine array of whiskeys and beers - just hit the spot after a breezy day outside." "The rooms were clean and warm, and the food was wholesome and filling."
	Hertfordshire Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Long Lane, Heronsgate, Hertfordshire, WD3 5BS. (01923 282226) "Fine selection of well kept ales. Relaxing, utterly pleasant pub. Friendly staff. Perfect really." "Friendly staff, real fire, friendly locals, good food and a excellent programme of events."
	Merseyside Turks Head, St Helen's, 49-51 Morley Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 2DQ, (01744 751289) "A really great friendly local's pub which has improved imeasureably." "Great beer selection, regularly changing guests and unusual bottled beers from around europe."

CAMRA's Director of Pubs, Julian Hough, said: “ There are around 60,000 pubs in the UK and to be named the very best is an incredible honour. Each of these pubs work tremendously hard to ensure the standard of their beer is matched only by their warm welcome.”

CAMRA's National Pub of the Year was judged by the CAMRA membership. Each of the 197 branches voted for their favourite pub. They were judged on criteria such as customer service, décor, clientele mix, value for money, and the quality of their real ale. The branch winners were entered into 16 regional competitions and then the 16 winners battled it out to make the Grand Final which consisted of the above four pubs.

The full list of 16 regional winners was:

Scotland & N Ireland
Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkholm, Stranraer

North East
Kings Arms, Deptford, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

West Pennines
Bridge Bier Huis, Burnley Lancashire

Yorkshire
Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Greater Manchester
New Oxford, Salford

Merseyside, Cheshire & N Wales
Turks Head, St. Helens, Merseyside

East Midlands
Thorold Arms , Harmston, Lincolnshire

West Midlands
Bell, Pensax, Worcestershire

South & Mid Wales
Borough Arms, Neath, Glamorgan

East Anglia
Land of Liberty, Peace & Plenty, Heronsgate, Hertfordshire

Central Southern
Rose and Crown, Hawridge, Buckinghamshire

South West
Old Spot Inn, Dursley, Gloucestershire

Greater London
Bricklayers Arms, Putney, Greater London

Kent
The Ship Centurian, Whistable, Kent

Surrey & Sussex
White Horse, Maplelhurst, W. Sussex

Wessex & Channel Islands
Plough Inn, Little London, Hampshire