Most Popular Pub of the Year for Wolverhampton announced

The Lych Gate Tavern, Queen Square, has claimed the title after fending off fierce competition.

The competition, now in its third year, saw pubs enter the search to find the most popular pubs in the Black Country and Mid Staffordshire.

Customers collected tokens in the Express and Star and placed their vote on who wins the award.

Hayley Hall, manager at The Lynch Gate Tavern, said: "We're absolutely delighted. It's been voted for by our customers. - they put the tokens in and placed their votes in the box.

"It shows how much they appreciate how much we do and it shows the hard work me, my partner Dave and our team put in."

Dave Buck, Hayley's partner, said: "We were up against some fantastic competition. The other three pubs that are in it are fantastic.

"Credit to them for making it.

"We're overjoyed to win it."

The pub's Cider and Cheese festival will start Thursday and will run until Sunday.

Ms Hall, who's been manager at the pub for two years, said the secret to her success was 'very simple'.

She said:"It's very simple actually.

"Excellent customer service, clean toilets, well looked after beer and our team of staff smile at all times and are really good with the customers.

"It's not rocket science, it's just being good at what we do."

Runners up

The unique Codsall Station, Chapel Lane, came second after winning the title last year.

Toby Lardner, landlord and manager at Codsall Station, said: "We're very, very happy with it all.

"We didn't get the win but there is always next year - they're keeping it warm for us.

"I couldn't believe the amount of people who voted for us. We were having people post votes through our letterbox through envelopes.

"Regular customers and customers I don't see to often were like 'please, have our vote'.

"It's been fantastic and we have a lot of loyal customers and they have definitely looked after it for us."

Mr Lardner, who has been landlord at the pub for two years, said the secret to success was 'hard work'.

He added: "I've been here two years as landlord and it's been the most successful two years the pub has seen in its history.

"It's down to hard work. We have a fantastic team here, very good home cooked menu, we do with all the local favourites and we pride ourselves on serving the best real ales in the region.

"Front of house is one of the most important areas of the pub, you want someone with a smile on their face. Our beer and our food are what they primarily come in for, but we've got great staff and a great team."

The Codsall Station will be hosting a beer festival, its second of the year, over the Bank Holiday weekend in August.

The Summer House, Holyhead Rd, Boningale, finished third in the competition.

Nick Gilbert, manager at the pub, said: "I would like to thank all our customers and our friends for their contribution.

"We can improve for next year.

"I think maybe the decals of the pub and the car park needs some attention - we're decorating the restaurant at the minute and we're hoping the car park will be re-tarmacked by the end of the year."