King and Castle pub celebrates CAMRA award
I'll drink to that! A pub has celebrated success after it was claimed a regional award.
The King and Castle pub, based at the Severn Valley Railway's Kidderminster station, has been chosen as the winning branch for Wyre Forest's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year for 2019.
The pub fought off fierce competition to claim the title, with certificates being presented to the team at the pub last week.
Bar manager Gavin Chance raised a glass to his success – and plans to go out with the team on a celebratory dinner next month.
He said: "It's good and exciting. I would definitely put it down to excellent real ale, the quality of the team and a friendly atmosphere and welcome.
"We're family friendly, dog friendly and we're friendly all-round.
"We're all going out for a meal and celebration next month, the whole team.
"It's all been a bit of a whirlwind, to be honest. we didn't expect it and we've come a long way. We've won seasonal awards and it's a total shock.
"It goes to show what you can do with hard work."
The Anchor Inn at Caunsall came runner-up.
The branch also selected Chester Road Sports and Social Club as its club of the year.
The 35-year-old, from Wolverley, added: "There's other pubs in the area and the standard is very high – which has encouraged us to increase our own standard."
A spokesman for the CAMRA branch said: "Well done to Gavin Chance and the bar staff of The King and Castle. Wyre Forest CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2019."
