Re-opened village pub in the running for national award

The Royal Oak in Hail Weston has been shortlisted for the title of Best Community Pub in Britain in the John Smith’s Great British Pub of the Year Awards.

An awards ceremony will take place in London, in September, when the Royal Oak will discover if it has won the prestigious award.

Only five other pubs in the country have made it onto the shortlist, whittled down from hundreds of entries in a category designed to recognise those pubs that are at the heart of the community that surrounds them.

The nomination caps a successful first year for the re-opened village pub, having already won a CAMRA award for most improved rural pub in the area.

“This nomination sums up exactly what the reopening of the Royal Oak was all about - a community wanting its pub back,” added Reuben Milne, the pub’s marketing director.

“Now we’re open again, we try to make sure we continue to deliver on that.

“As well as free events that bring the community together such as WestFest and our outdoor movie nights, the pub regularly hosts community groups, helps raise money for local charities at our weekly pub quiz and runs family bingo sessions and quizzes in the school holidays to keep the children entertained.”

www.royaloakhailweston.com.