PRIOR JOHN IN BRIDLINGTON IS CAMRA’S EAST YORKSHIRE TOWN PUB OF THE YEAR 2010
Issued 5th January 2010. Download this article as a pdf.
The Prior John in Bridlington has been named ‘East Yorkshire Town Pub of the Year 2010’ by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) – Hull & East Yorkshire Branch.
Five pubs were nominated for the prestigious title, and a panel of judges then individually visited each nomination and scored them against strict criteria: Quality of Real Ale, Community Focus, Atmosphere, Campaigning, Style/Decor, Service and Welcome, and Value for Money. For the pub to be eligible for the competition the licensee had to be present since the 1st January 2010.
The Prior John is owned by J D Wetherspoon and is situated in The Promenade in Bridlington. It was managed throughout 2010 by Helen Barnes – now the manager of the Postern Gate in York.
The pub is featured in the new CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2011 and described as: “Large, busy Wetherspoon’s pub in the town centre and close to the bus station. Modern in appearance, the interior is basically one large half-moon shaped room. To the right of the serving area is a first floor gallery, reached by a sweeping metal staircase. The downstairs room is a clever mix of metal and wood, with a segmented ceiling supported by steel pillars. The decor is plain and bright, using mainly pastel colours. Five guest beers are usually available, including a dark beer.”
The Green Dragon in Beverley was runner-up in the competition. The pub is owned by Mitchells & Butlers (Birmingham) and is managed by Glyn & Alan Clarke.
It is described in the new CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2011 as: “An historic Tudor-fronted inn that was renamed the Green Dragon in 1765. Up to seven beers from breweries throughout the UK are featured. Beer festivals are held at Easter and Halloween and regular ‘Meet the Brewer’ evenings take place. The pub was extensively refurbished and substantially extended 13 years ago; most internal fittings of note were lost, although some wood panelling remains.”
Branch Chairman, Alan Canvess, said “The Prior John was nominated for the 2009 title, and the Green Dragon was the winner of the 2009 title. Therefore, both pubs have not only shown a high consistency of standards over the last twelve months, but also over the last two years.” Alan will present framed certificates to the licensees of both pubs during a ‘Presentation Trip’ on the evening of Saturday 15th January, when all of the five pubs that were nominated for the competition will be visited.
The Tiger Inn in Driffield, the Marine Bar in Bridlington and the Bell Hotel in Driffield were the other pubs nominated.
For more information and comment please contact:
Alan Canvess (Branch Chairman) Tel: (01482) 446320 E-mail: alan@canvess.karoo.co.uk
Helen Barnes (Former Manager of the Prior John) Tel: (01904) 526220
