During the period covered by this edition, teams from each of CAMRA’s 13 Greater London branches will be out and about visiting all of London’s branch pubs of the year (PotY) to decide which of them will win the Greater London Regional Pub of the Year award. The judging is carried out using criteria and weightings which are common to all of CAMRA’s pub competitions. These are as follows:
- Quality and condition of real ale, cider and perry (x2)
- Promotion and knowledge of real ale (x2)
- Cleanliness and staff hygiene (x2)
- Community focus and atmosphere (x2)
- Service, welcome and offering (x1)
- Style, décor and furnishing (x1)
- Sympathy with CAMRA aims (x1)
- Overall impression and value (x1)
These are this year’s candidates, in order of CAMRA branch. The statistics are since 2003.
Bexley
Robin Hood & Little John, Bexleyheath DA6 8PF
An old favourite, having been branch PotY 14 times and overall winner three times.
Bromley
Cockpit, Chiselhurst BR7 6NR
Micropub; second successive year as branch PotY.
Croydon & Sutton
Claret & Ale, Addiscombe CRO 7AA
Previously branch PotY in 2009.
East London & City
North Star, Leytonstone E11 3AR
Previously branch PotY in 2019.
Enfield & Barnet
Little Green Dragon, Winchmore Hill N21 2AD
The area’s first micropub branch PotY in six of the last seven years and overall winner in 2018.
Kingston & Leatherhead
Lamb, Surbiton KT6 5NF
Branch PotY in 2012 and 2014.
North London
Southampton Arms, Kentish Town NW5 1LE
Was branch PotY in 2011 and went on to win the overall award.
Richmond & Hounslow
Masons Arms, Teddington TW11 8PJ
Branch PotY in five out of the last nine years.
South East London
River Ale House, Greenwich SE10 0RJ
Micropub; has been branch PotY three times in the last six years.
South West Essex
Gidea Park Micropub, Gidea Park RM2 5HA
Branch PotY in three of the last six years.
South West London
Trafalgar, South Wimbledon SW19 2JY
Branch PotY six times in 17 years and overall winner in 2002. Recently reopened and first time as PotY under its current management.
West London
Victoria, Paddington W2 2NH
A debut as branch PotY for this well known pub.
West Middlesex
The Owl & The Pussycat, Northfields W13 9RT
Micropub; branch PotY in three of the last six years.
All members can participate in the judging although it may probably be too late for this year now. You do need to let your branch know that you are participating for your scores to be registered (see the Branch Diaries at the front for contact details). There are no limits on the number of judges and you can visit as and when it suits you. You do however have to visit all 13 pubs and your visits need to be anonymous and unannounced.