A HORWICH pub has been named the best in Bolton for the third time in four years.

The Victoria and Albert in Lee Lane was crowned the best pub in the borough after a vote during a meeting of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) members in Bolton.

The pub, which closed down in 2008 before being bought and re-opened by current landlord Dave Pawson, also won the accolade in 2012 and 2013.

It lost its crown last year with Astley Bridge-based boozer, The Bank Top Brewery Tap, coming out on top — and Mr Pawson said regaining the crown is a sweet feeling.

He said: “I was ecstatic for us to once again be named the best pub in Bolton, particularly after losing the title last year — it is a great feeling.

“There are lots of really good pubs in Bolton offering good beer, so it means a lot to me and I have to thank my staff for all their hard work as well.”

Mr Pawson has spent his life in the pub trade, working in pubs in his native Salford since the tender age of 13.

He then ran The Bridge pub in Horwich with his mother until striking out alone with the Victoria and Albert in 2010.

He said trading conditions continue to be difficult for pubs at the moment, but believes he has a major advantage in having a free house — meaning he can select and negotiate for his own beers without being tied to a single brewery.

He added: “That is the key for me — I can decide which beers I have on and we have been able to go down the cask ale route, with seven pumps offering different guest beers which change regularly.”

This formula is clearly working for the V and A — along with its string of local awards it has also been named in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the past four years.

Mr Pawson, aged 41, said he has aimed to carve out a niche at his establishment, creating a quiet and comfortable atmosphere for punters.

He said: “We have comfy sofas and we don’t do live bands. We want people to be able to come in, have a chat and enjoy some quality ales.”

The shortlisted pubs were:

  • Bank Top Brewery Tap, Astley Bridge
  • Victoria & Albert, Horwich
  • Barristers, Bolton town centre
  • Bank Top Brewery Ale House, Horwich
  • Hen & Chickens, Bolton town centre

The Bolton News: The Bank Top Ale House, Horwich

The Bolton News: Barristers pub in Bradshawgate

The Bolton News: The Brewery Tap pub, in Belmont Road, Astley Bridge

The Bolton News: The Hen and Chickens pub in Deansgate, Bolton town centre