A POPULAR Newcastle pub is celebrating success after taking regional honours in one of the industry’s biggest award schemes.
The City Tavern beat off scores of pubs and bars across the North East of England to take the regional Best Cask Ale Pub and the Best Team Training titles in the awards run by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars.
It follows the Northumberland Road pub’s success a year ago, when it took the national Best Cask Ale title, and comes as the second year in succession it has taken the regional accolade.
“We are absolutely delighted to once again be celebrating success in the Star Pubs & Bars awards,” said licensee David King. “These awards are very important, so to be recognised for the second year in a row is fantastic.
“Last year we beat around 1300 pubs in the country to the Best Cask Ale Pub, and to back this up by once again winning the regional title is great news.
“We pride ourselves on our ales, and I think to win regional honours twice in a row really puts us on the map as one of the best cask ale pubs in the country.
“It is also a great honour to be named regional winners in the Best Team Training category, as this reinforces our commitment to our staff. We very much value our team here at the City Tavern and it’s good to be recognised for our work.”
Mr King took over the City Tavern in 2014 and invested £450,000 in a major refurbishment, creating a modern bar that retained the venue’s historic features.
Since then, it has scooped numerous accolades including the Best Cask Ale Pub title last year, just two months after it was named Best Pub in the Tyne & Wear Lifestyle Awards.
This year, he has stepped up his cask ale offerings even further, with the introduction of two gluten-free craft beers to the menu, created by Autumn Brewing Co in Seaham.