AN Ombersley pub has been voted the best in Worcestershire as part of national industry awards.

The Crown and Sandys in Main Road, owned by Worcester-based pub group Scoff & Quaff, has been named as Worcestershire’s favourite by Pub & Bar Magazine in its 2016 National Pub and Bar Awards.

The win also sees the 17th century former coaching inn booking a spot in the regional and grand final which takes place on May 24 in London, with its owners hoping to make the grade as one of 12 regional winners or even be named the best in the UK. The historic pub, which has six en-suite bedrooms, won over judges during a series of secret visits earlier this year for the quality of its food, its atmosphere and decor, range of drinks and customer service.

Scoff & Quaff co-owner Nick Mossop said: “To be recognised by the industry as operating the best pub in the county is an enormous honour for us. I can’t give enough praise to our fantastic, dedicated team who work tirelessly to make The Crown and Sandys such a wonderful pub and restaurant. They put an enormous amount of effort into producing great meals and service that the pub’s reputation travels far beyond Ombersley and Worcestershire. We’ve been very touched by all the messages of congratulations that we’ve had in recent days and now our sights are set firmly on the grand final. It’s awards like these that help put Worcestershire on the map.”

Scoff & Quaff was formed in 2007 by businessmen Stephen Ballard, Brian Hulme and Mr Mossop. The trio have since grown the group to employ 250 people across six pubs which it owns and operates in Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. Its other venues include The Kings Head in Worcester, The Ewe & Lamb in Bromsgrove, The Leopard at Bishops Tachbrook and Cheltenham’s The Tivoli. The group also took over the Old Beams in Stourport-on-Severn last year, undertaking a £150,000 refurbishment programme.

The National Pub & Bar Awards represent “all that is great about the modern pub trade”, according to the magazine’s editor Tristan O’Hana. The judging panel looked for perfect service, outstanding products, the best designed pubs and great entertainment schedules to represent the “ultimate hospitality”. Winners will be announced at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden by pubs minister Marcus Jones.