"Pub of the Year" is a special annual award presented to the landlord or manager of a public house in the Leicester Branch area in honour of the quality of their beer, service and general attitude towards real ale. The winning pubs are those nominated and voted for by a majority of local CAMRA members by postal ballot.

Members vote for their three favourite pubs in the Leicester Branch area. The highest scoring pub becomes “Pub of the Year” with the highest scoring City and County pubs then becoming the area category winners.

 Winner                       The Criterion, Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN

 Second                       Vin Quatre, King St, LE1 6RL

 Third                           The Chandlers Arms, Fenny Lane, Shearsby LE17 6PL                         

The Criterion, “City Pub of the Year 2006” and “Pub of the Year 2007 and 2008” has become “Pub of the Year 2009”. Well done to Russell Hunt, Karen Foster and their team for winning this award for the third year running as voted for by members of the Leicester Branch of CAMRA.

Over 900 members are entitled to vote and The Criterion came out with the most number of votes. Clearly a continuing sign of the high regard held for the pub and team by those members who returned their votes. As recently as 2002, The Criterion was called The Nags Head when purchased from Hardys & Hansons. A change of name and the stocking of some quality British real ales as well as a selection of other beers from all over the world completely changed the profile of this pub.

Now owned by Rugby Brewery, it has a reputation for stocking real ales from micro-breweries and is part of LocAle. The pub has knowledgeable staff, regular quizzes, beer festivals and music sessions. Food is served too, really wonderful, authentic Italian pizzas heading the menu, but other items are also available. This all goes to show why The Criterion has retained “Pub of the Year 2009”. Well done.

Runner up is Vin Quatre, formerly Out of the Vaults. This pub is now in its fifth year under the ownership of Paul Summers and Daksha Patel and recently joined by Cathal Farragher. Up to 12 real ales are served including LocAles. It has regular beer festivals attracting a following of beer enthusiasts from all over the UK and regular music sessions. 

The Chandlers Arms, Fenny Lane, Shearsby is a pub that is totally committed to Real Ale and was the first to join our LocAle campaign. It has been gaining a reputation for really good quality beer and food since being taken over by Stephen and Karen Compton in 2006 and has now been rewarded with the title “County Pub of the Year 2009”. This fantastic pub is situated in the village of Shearsby and serves up to 7 beers. It is good to see this pub flying the flag for real ale in the county and fully deserved.

This award has prompted Stephen to hold his first beer festival on July 10 - 11th.

Leicester CAMRA congratulates all the winners and hopes that this level of quality can continue in the Leicester area.

The top ten this year were as follows:-

Having announced our Pub Of The Year 2009 results a couple of months ago, it now befalls us to present both of the winners with their well-earned awards. We began this task on Wednesday 13^th May, with a trip by minibus to Shearsby, a dreamy hideaway just off the A5199 (A50 to most of us with a history) just a few miles from the city. Tucked away in the heart of the village is The Chandlers Arms – one could quite easily miss it - if you weren’t aware of it’s whereabouts. Perhaps they should include Ordnance Survey co-ordinates in their ‘ad’.

On arrival, we received a customary warm welcome from Licensees Karen and Steve Compton. Karen was busy (comme d’habitude) running the complimentary barbecue in the garden, of which most of us availed ourselves. Three out of the four beers on offer were LocAles, an initiative that Steve fervently supports. He was actually the first Licensee to join Leicester CAMRA’s LocAle scheme.

Their certificate for Country Pub Of The Year was duly presented, leaving Steve nearly as speechless as the night he was first informed of the award. “I never dreamed we would ever win an award like this” he said in his best Kate Winslet voice (thankfully, no tears … were there?).  He extended his thanks to Leicester CAMRA Branch for all their support, and also to his regular customers, whom without, there would be no Chandlers Arms.

The evening was then rounded off with some good, ‘live’ acoustic sounds from Kev Jones and, latterly, Le Vnyk Amnrit (whoever he is/was).

Our next presentation was after a short Branch Meeting on 3^rd June at The Criterion Millstone Lane Leicester. Russell Hunt and Karen as joint Licensees were presented with their City and Overall Pub Of The Year awards. This was the 4^th consecutive year they have won the city award and the 3^rd time for the overall award.

After Russell had given his thanks to Leicester CAMRA and his regulars, we indulged in a Pizza and bites buffet. The Criterion is also a member of our LocAle scheme. A number of LocAle beers were available on the night.

K Martin / K Williams

Country Pub of the Year 2009 - The Chandlers Arms, Shearsby