Ex-postie delivers a top pint

George Smith, landlord of the No 10 Alehouse, St Annes, celebrates the CAMRA branch pub of the season award with wife Alyson and bar staff

The No 10 Alehouse in Park Road, St Annes has acquired a loyal and ever-growing fanbase since being opened by former postman George White in November.

George was almost lost for words as he accepted the award from CAMRA branch chairman Paul Smith.

“I’m more used to drinking ale than selling it – but I had this mad idea to open a pub,” said George.

“The feedback has been positive so far and this award is much appreciated.”

He paid tribute to No 10’s excellent team of bar staff, as well as the help he has had from CAMRA members.

“I live and breathe real ale, but a lot of it is being sold in pubs that are more geared to families, with food and television being given priority,” he added.

“I wanted a more traditional pub – a place to drink, chat and socialise.”

Presenting the award in front of a packed house, Mr Smith said “This is an amazing achievement for a pub that only opened last November. The fact No 10 is George’s first venture in the licensing trade makes the success of the bar all the more remarkable.

“The micropub phenomenon, which started a few years ago in Kent and has spread to the big cities, had failed to reach the Fylde Coast until the No 10 opened.”

George, who worked for the Royal Mail for 20 years, secured the lease on the former furniture and charity shop on the corner of Back St Annes Road West in October.

Three ever-changing guest ales are available at the No 10 and CAMRA members can obtain discount on production of a valid CAMRA card.

Meanwhile, The Taps, Lytham and Fifteens Bar, St Annes have both been named as runners-up in the race for the CAMRA branch pub of the year award, won by the Thatched House, Poulton-le-Fylde.

At Fifteens, Mr Smith took time out to pay tribute to Dave Wood, a well-known local character, CAMRA stalwart and Fifteens regular, who died recently.

Fifteens landlord Martin Gillett has paid tribute to Dave, a former postman who went on to become a ‘lollipop’ man outside St Thomas School for many years, by featuring a beer named in his honour.