A WREXHAM pub has finished as a runner up in the Parliamentary Pub of the Year awards.

The Fat Boar, on Yorke Street, was awarded the runner up in the Welsh pub category, after being nominated for the award by Ian Lucas MP.

Launched in the summer of 2018 by Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Pub Group, Toby Perkins MP, the competition seeks to recognise the important role pubs play in British life and the value they add to the local communities and local economy.

Following nomination by their local MP, each pub had to submit a short video portraying the character of the pub and their engagement with their customers and local community.

Wales produced an excellent range of entries from pubs catering for tourists, to family friendly pubs, music pubs and craft beer specialists. A challenging category to judge, however, the Fat Boar impressed judges with its community focus, championing of local breweries and produce and quality of customer service.

Mr Perkins, said: “The presentations took place on momentous night for Parliament and it was a memorable night for all our finalists. The quality of the entries was outstanding and we have a very worthy regional winner in the Fat Boar. Pubs play a crucial and much-loved role in our daily life and the enthusiasm that MPs have shown in promoting the claim of their locals to this title shows the pride that our communities take in our pubs.”

Richard Watkin, one of the owners of the Fat Boar, said: “Having only been open for a couple of years to be nominated for parliamentary pub of the year was a great honour. We see the pub not just as a place to eat and drink but a really important hub for the local community to come and engage with us and each other. This has led us to be able to help local teams and charities with various fundraising events.”