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Pub knocks spots off opposition to be best

Last Updated: 09:00 GMT 15/02/2008

Regulars have known it for years, but a Gloucestershire pub is now officially the best in Britain.Today Camra (the Campaign for Real Ale) will name the Old Spot in Dursley its National Pub of the Year.

The competition analyses all the criteria that make a good pub, including the quality of the beer, atmosphere, decor, customer service, clientele mix and value for money.

The Old Spot Inn is described in Camra's Good Beer Guide 2008 in glowing terms.

"This 100-year-old free house, named after the Gloucestershire Old Spot pig, has been sympathetically restored by its owner, Ric Sainty," it says.

"The intimate atmosphere is enhanced by log fires and brewery memorabilia.

"As well as Uley's Old Ric, named after the owner, it offers five guest beers, mainly from micro-brewers, served in five separate drinking areas."

It is one of a handful of pubs to have a boules piste (French bowls rink).

Julian Hough, Camra's pubs director and one of the final judges, said: "The Old Spot Inn is a great example of how successful a well-run community pub can be.

"I would like to congratulate everyone at the Old Spot Inn on being judged Britain's finest pub."

Ric and Ellie Sainty began the transformation in 1993 when they bought the run-down Whitbread pub, then called the Fox and Hounds.

They turned it into a local pub where people from all walks of life could feel at home and enjoy a superb pint in friendly and convivial surroundings.

Ric and Ellie retired in 2001 and Steve and Belinda Herbert took over as licensees.

Mr Herbert thanked regulars for making the pub what it is.

"I am overwhelmed at winning the National Pub of the Year award," he said.

"To be judged the best pub in Britain is a dream come true.

"Being born and bred in Dursley means a lot to me and to be able to bring this award to this wonderful pub gives me a great sense of achievement."

The award is presented in the run-up to Community Pubs Week, which starts tomorrow. The campaign aims to encourage more people to visit pubs more regularly at this traditionally quiet time of the year for the trade.

Visit the article at The Citizen Online Reproduced courtesy of The Citizen. Friday 15th February 2008.

And this ...

Old Spot has kept flavour of community

Last Updated: 09:00 GMT 16/02/2008

In 1993, Ric and Ellie Sainty began the transformation of a run-down Whitbread pub, the Fox and Hounds, into the Old Spot Inn as we know it today; a local pub where people from all walks of life can feel at home and enjoy a superb pint in very friendly and convivial surroundings.

In 2001, Ric and Ellie retired and Steve and Belinda Herbert took over as landlord and landlady and have built on Ric and Ellie's success.

With their committed staff, they have greatly improved the range and quality of the food on offer without compromising the drinking clientele or the quality of the beer. Chips are not served, as they spoil the flavour and aroma of the beer!

Steve and Belinda are dedicated to maintaining the local character of the pub within the community, and enthusiastically support local charities.

In 2006, the Uley Brewery produced a beer called "The Reverend Janet" which was exclusively sold in the Old Spot and a substantial sum of money was raised by Steve, Belinda and Chas Wright of the Uley Brewery for the roof fund of the Parish Church of St James.

This year, the Severn Vale Brewery has produced a beer called "Severn Bells" and the sale of this beer in the Old Spot with the support of Steve McDonald of Severn Vale has raised a further generous amount for St James' Church.

Steve and Belinda also organise regular beer festivals, trips and meet the brewer evenings, which are very popular.

The Gloucestershire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale is delighted that the Old Spot has been rewarded for their efforts. It is a superb pub that richly deserves this award. Everybody who enters the pub is made to feel welcome by Steve and the rest of the staff, and this creates a wonderful atmosphere, which makes you feel a local even after just a few minutes.

To enhance this, you can sample a fine range of well-kept fine ales and good food.

There are many fine pubs in the county, ranging from busy city centre bars to the small village inn. Each has its own niche, but the common bond is serving good ales and food, and competition for awards is very healthy in improving overall standards.

Regrettably, each year pubs are lost to developers as they are converted to meet the increased housing needs, but thankfully, we still have many gems in the area, the Old Spot being one of the brightest.

On a personal note I cannot visit the Old Spot often enough. Although I live in Cheltenham, many Saturdays are spent in the Dursley area walking the Cotswold Way and other footpaths, always ending up in the Old Spot for a few superb ales and a chat with the friendly staff and customers.

The time seems to pass quickly, and it is all too soon time to say goodbye.

Visit the article at The Citizen Online Reproduced courtesy of The Citizen. Saturday 16th February 2008.