New Fylde pub wins top award

The No. 10 Alehouse has been chosen by Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre CAMRA members as their pub of the season for summer.

The micropub in Park Road, St Annes, has been chosen by beer buffs for having “three ever-changing guest ales available, all of very high quality.”

The Fylde micropub, which only opened its doors for the first time five months ago, has already acquired a loyal and ever-growing fanbase. Presenting the award in front of a packed house, CAMRA branch chairman Paul Smith said: “This is an amazing achievement for a pub that only opened last November.”

Landlord George White was almost lost for words as he accepted the award.

He said: “I’m more used to drinking ale than selling it, but I had this mad idea to open a pub. The feedback has been positive so far and this award is much appreciated.”

The No. 10 is George’s first venture in the licensing trade, making the success of the bar all the more remarkable.

He put this down to an excellent team of bar staff, as well as the help he has had from CAMRA members.

He added: “I live and breathe real ale, but a lot of it is being sold in pubs that are more geared to families, with food and television being given priority. I wanted a more traditional pub – a place to drink, chat and socialise.”

The micropub phenomenon, which started a few years ago in Kent and has spread to the big cities, had failed to reach most parts of the Fylde Coast until the No. 10 Alehouse opened.

The CAMRA team has been busy this month handing out runners up awards for the Pub of the Year Title which went to the Thatched House in Poulton.

Fifteens in St Annes Square pub was selected by the Branch as one of two Pub of the Year runners-up.

Presenting the award, branch chairman Paul Smith took time out to pay tribute to Dave Wood, a well-known local character, CAMRA stalwart and Fifteens regular who died recently.

Having won the award in 2012, Fifteens was once again short-listed for the main prize. Paul Smith said Fifteens won silver for its six or seven real ales in extremely good condition. The Taps in Henry Street, Lytham was the other runner-up with landlord Steve Norris picking up the certificate.

Presenting the award, pubs officer Rick Pickup said “I know Steve is disappointed as he’s normally the winner. However, being a runner-up out of 150-odd pubs is still a fine achievement.”.

All three pubs offer CAMRA members discount on production of a valid card.