A WETHERSPOON pub was crowned the overall winner at an awards ceremony recognising Croydon's most responsibly run bars.
The George, in George Street, took home the spoils at the Best Bar None awards, which took place at Croydon Conference Centre on Tuesday evening.
The awards recognise pubs that best meet the rigorous inspections of Croydon Council's licensing team, are trading within the letter of the law and have comprehensive procedures and practices in place to support staff and customers.
For the second successive year in the scheme's history, every Croydon establishment that applied for Best Bar None status succeeded in achieving accreditation.
As well as the overall award, The George won Best Pub.
The Oval Tavern, in East Croydon, won Best Small Venue, and The Bad Apple, in Park Street, beat off stiff competition to win Best Late Night Venue.
This year, the Croydon Advertiser supported the People's Choice categories.
In the awards – which attracted nearly 10,000 votes from Advertiser readers – Best Bar Staff in Croydon was won by Reflex, in High Street, Croydon, and Best Customer Experience went to Bad Apple.
The Oval Tavern picked up its second gong with Best Family Friendly Venue and The Crown and Pepper, in High Street, took the prize for Best Food in Croydon.
The Best Bar None scheme is co-ordinated by Croydon Council and supported by the Met Police, local licensees and the Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership (CBCP).
CBCP chairman Nick Baker said: "Croydon's reputation can only be enhanced by local premises successfully reaching and maintaining a standard of management which is nationally recognised.
"All of this year's entrants should be justifiably proud of their achievements."
