Vic-tory for north Essex's best real ale pub (From Essex County Standard)

Vic-tory for north Essex's best real ale pub

6:00pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

COLCHESTER'S very own "Vic" has been voted the top pub in north Essex.

 

Members of the Colchester and North East Essex Campaign for Real Ale gave their seal of approval to the Victoria Inn, in North Station Road, for 2013.

The pub, known to regulars as ‘The Vic’, is run by Sheena Valentine and Andy Pilgrim and was opened in December 2010.

“It’s great news for us, seeing as we have only been open for just over two years,” said Mr Pilgrim, 52.

“We pride ourselves on running a good, traditional pub, so there are no pool tables, no dart boards, no food and no Sky TV.

“Some people are put off by it, but more people really buy into it and I think when you’re doing that sort of stuff, you can take your eye off the ball and lose sight of what a pub is all about.”

Members of the North East Essex Campaign for Real Ale voted online and by post.
Alan Wareham, branch chairman, said: “The quality of real ale pubs in our area has really risen in the last few years.

“It's always a hard decision to take, but we've had a record turnout of votes from members this year, which gave us a good representation of opinion across the board of what our members appreciate and enjoy.”