FOR the third consecutive year, an Oswestry pub has swooped an award from an established pub group.

The Bailey Head pub in Oswestry has received the award of being the Market Town’s Pub of the Year in Shrewsbury and West Shropshire from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) group.

On top of that, it was named runner-up in the overall pub of the year award in the region – a title it won at last year’s awards.

Duncan Borrowman, owner of the Bailey Head pub, said the award highlights the importance of offering good quality products for customers to enjoy.

“It’s great news we’ve been able to win the award again this year,” he said.

“I think it reflects the need for pubs to be selling good beer for its visitors.

“On top of that, we have a great bunch of staff here.

“We’ve now managed to pick up a total of eight awards in the past three years which is obviously great news for us.”

Along with its real ale on offer, the pub offers an extensive range of gin.

The products on offer along with the recognition the pub receives through its awards is a big help for the pub when it comes to attracting visitors, Duncan says.

He added: “We find it tends to attract people to the pub from further afield which can do well for tourism in the area.

“Especially for real ale tourists, it makes Oswestry a place worth veering off the A5 to visit for a drink.

“The pub offers a really chilled, laid back atmosphere for people who come along, whether that’s in a group or by themselves.

“We have a wide range of beer and more than 90 gins for people to sample, along with locally sourced food.

“We’re not your typical pub.”

Duncan gave a mention to the “dog friendly” attitude the pub holds, which has also seen the pub recognised for an award in the past.

Duncan said: “In 2017, DogBuddy awarded us for being the most dog friendly pub in the West Midlands.

“We can have as many dogs as people sometimes!

“It’s an area in which people enjoy walking their dogs, so it’s nice to offer a place for them to come and enjoy a drink and some food.”