A pub in Shropshire has been named the best in the UK, as it was crowned the winner of the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) pub of the year competition 2024.
The Bailey Head in Oswestry was a “rags to riches success story” the judges said, noting its owners had taken it from a shuttered pub to a haven for the local community.
It had been failing under the ownership of a major pub firm and was listed by CAMRA as an asset of community value to preserve it as a pub.
Nine years ago, it was bought by Duncan Borrowman and Grace Goodlad who poured their knowledge and passion into transforming the venue – and their dedication has led to an enviable roster of awards from CAMRA, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates and others.
“We have always had a policy of everyone welcome,” said Landlord Duncan Borrowman.
“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.”
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.”
‘Commitment and enthusiasm’
Landlady Grace Goodlad said they were thrilled, and hoped to live up to the recognition they’d received.
“In our wildest dreams we never thought we would win CAMRA pub of the year,” she said.
“We have taken everything one step at a time, through Covid-19, 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 asset of community value 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.”
CAMRA awards director Laura Emson added: “There could not be a more deserving winner for the pub of the year 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.”
All the pubs in the competition were selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix and quality of beer.
It has been a good year for the West Midlands, as the Firs Club in Codsall was recently named club of the year 2024.
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