Campaign for Real Ale Peterborough district names The Nag’s Head in Bourne 'best town pub of the year'

A pub that serves the perfect pint is the Campaign for Real Ale's 'town pub of the year'.

The Nag’s Head in Bourne scooped the award in the Peterborough district.

Owner Richard Barrett said: “It is great to get the award. The manager and chef are both real ale enthusiasts so it is nice for them to get that recognition.”

Richard is no stranger to the awards scheme - last year his pub The Goat in Deeping St James was named 'rural pub of the year'.

For him the key to a good real ale - and a good pub that serves it - is to support local businesses.

“If you don’t shop with local brewers they won’t be here in years to come," he said.

“I want to have a wide selection and shopping locally offers a pint with a difference, such as beers brewed with chocolate,” he said.

When he took over the The Nag’s Head in 2009, it was quite food-orientated. Now Richard and his team has struck a balance, focusing equally on good food and drink.

The Nag’s Head has at least four real ales on tap, one with an alcohol content of more than seven per cent.

Richard hopes to raise the profile of independent businesses in Bourne.

He said: “I hope this recognition will encourage a few more people to try local businesses and venture into the town centre.”

The Nag’s Head will now go forward to the East Midlands Area Pub of The Year competition.