Sheffield pub judged 'Best in Britain'

17th February 2010, 7:01am

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has crowned the Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield as its National Pub of the Year for 2009.

Last year, the Kelham Island Tavern picked up the same award, making it the first pub in CAMRA's history to win its most coveted accolade in consecutive years. Only two other pubs have ever won the award twice- the Fat Cat, Norwich (1998, 2004), and the Swan, Little Totham, Essex (2002, 2005).

CAMRA's National Pub of the Year competition analyses all the criteria that make a good pub including the quality of the beer, atmosphere, décor, customer service, and all-round value of the pub visit. The competition is overseen by CAMRA's 110,000-strong membership.

Praising the pub for its historic achievement, Julian Hough, CAMRA Pubs Director, said: "The Kelham Island Tavern holds a remarkable record in CAMRA's pub competitions bearing in mind the pub only opened in 2002. 

"With so many fantastic community pubs in Sheffield, it's difficult enough to be crowned the best in the Steel City, let alone in the whole of the UK! The pub's success is thoroughly deserved due to its high attention to detail, service to the surrounding community, and quality in all areas, not least in the beer."

Trevor Wraith, Kelham Island Tavern licensee, added: "Winning last year only made us work harder to meet and beat people's expectations, with people travelling from all over the UK to visit us. With this award, our aim is that we maintain our high standards and continue to fulfil people's high hopes of our pub."

The presentation of the National Pub of the Year 2009 award will take place at the Kelham Island Tavern today at 1pm.

The runners up were the Royal Oak in Oxon, the Crown Hotel in Manchester and the Royal Oak in West Sussex.

Related Articles:

• 25 Jun 2010 - Highland brewery's Orkney Blast named CAMRA's Champion Beer of Scotland
• 08 Feb 2010 - OFT opens consultation on CAMRA'S beer tie
• 26 Nov 2009 - CAMRA announces National Pub of the Year finalists
• 16 Nov 2009 - CAMRA backs celebrity London pub
• 10 Nov 2009 - CAMRA reveals dates for Winter Ales Festival

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