A MICROPUB is celebrating being shortlisted to compete against others in a national competition.

Wor Local in Prudhoe has been judged the overall Tyneside and Northumberland Cider Pub of The Year.

They were judged the best in the two areas, and they will now represent the North East CAMRA branch at the regional level of the competition later this year.

Owner Allison Thear bought the pub in 2016 and was inspired to transform the former computer game shop into a micropub, and it has been a success ever since.

She said: "It is good to do local stuff and be recognised. We love local beers and ciders, so we are over the moon with the recognition. 

"Since opening in 2016, we have been supported by the community, and we are very grateful.

This is not the pub's first success. In 2022, Wor Local was named Pub of the Year for South West Northumberland. The popular haunt has also taken the top spot for Overall Cider Pub of the Year.

Paul Hillhouse, chairman of the local branch, explained that members vote to make up a shortlist, which is then supplemented by a judging process to determine the overall winners.

He said: "The first round of the Cider Pub of the Year competition is an open vote from the 1600 members of the branch giving us a Tyneside and a Northumberland Pub of The Year. The Free Trade Inn is in Byker, and Wor Local is in Prudhoe. 

"After that, members of the committee judge our winners based on the Quality of the product, Style, decor and ambience, cleanliness, community links, product knowledge, service and welcome, and overall opinion. 

"It was a tight content but Wor Local was selected to represent the branch at the regional level scoring particularly highly for community links, it truly lives up to the name and from the first time you enter you are made to feel like a local. 

"In the next round CAMRA members from across the North East will score the pub against winners from Sunderland South Tyneside, Durham, and Darlington branches for the chance to move onto the national competition. 

"Cider has always played second fiddle to Beer in the north; however, recently, we have seen a lot of great cider pubs open, and it makes for a tight contest (Station House in Durham previously made it all the way to the final round in national competition).

"Wor Local stands out due to its links with the producers, which means it can offer a range of Cider that is not available elsewhere in the region.

"The branch wishes the pub the best of luck in what is certain to be a tough competition."

Cllr Gordon Stewart adds: "Worlocal is a family run micropub where you will always find a warm friendly and genuine welcome, it attracts locals as well as many visitors to the town therefore supporting the wider economy, many congratulations to the team."