The votes have been counted, the nominations verified and six pubs have been shortlisted for the coveted Gazette Pub of the Year 2109 award.

Over 400 votes were received from the paper’s readers who were quick to tell us why they loved their local.

Competition has been fierce, and it is down to the number of wonderful pubs that can be founded nestled in our beautiful towns, villages and hidden away down country lanes.

Now, readers are being invited to tell us who should win the highest accolade by voting for their favourite out of the final six pubs.

A full list of the shortlisted pubs appear at the bottom of this article, along with details of how to vote, and over the next six weeks we’ll be looking at each pub in detail.  This week we visit the first of our shortlisted pubs - The Old Spot Inn in Dursley.

Appropriately nestled right in the heart of Dursley ‘The Spot’ as it is known to most locals has already been recognised in a number of awards - not least the coveted CAMRA National Pub of the Year.

Alistair Sawday also recommends the lovely local, and the Good Pub Guide is happy to recommend it for a visit within it’s pages.

But more importantly our readers love it - dozens of people who voted to ensure that the landlords and staff who work so hard behind the scenes knew that they were appreciated.

Gazette Series:

They told us that they love the pub for the warm welcome that they receive when they walk through the door

Every nomination paid homage to the fact that The Spot is a ‘real pub’, one which sticks to the great tradition of fantastic pubs - cosy fires in the winter, a proper pint and a Sunday Roast worth paying a special visit for.

Owned by the same family for over 20 years there’s even a blue plaque which pays credit to previous landlord and ‘fine fellow’’ Ric Sainty.

As our very own columnist John Light said: “Supported by wife Ellie, Ric made the pub a true delight.

“In 2007 it was named CAMRA national pub of the year, the first Gloucestershire pub to earn that title.

“Charming and good natured (unless you ordered lager) Ric became a legend and now you can still order a pint of “Old Ric” which is brewed at nearby Uley.”

Boasting a myriad of snug rooms, and a secluded beer garden, it’s no wonder that the pub is such a firm favourite among our readers, who recommend dropping for an ale and a pizza any time you’ve a few hours to spare in the pretty market town.

If you would like to vote for The Old Spot Inn, or any of the other five pubs that have been nominated then you can do so by clicking on the link below.

The following rules do apply:

  • Only one vote will be accepted per email address
  • Readers can only vote for the six shortlisted pubs
  • Voting will remain open until midnight Sunday, March 24 - all votes received after that time will not be accepted
  • All six runners up will receive certificates
  • Landlords, managers and staff are also free to vote for their own pubs.

So if you know of a pub that deserves the coveted Gazette Pub of the Year 2019 award to hang pride of place on the wall then get your vote in quick - we want to hear from the experts - our readers.

The pub with the most votes will be crowned Pub of the Year at the end of March, and be presented with our coveted trophy and certificate, as well as a special prize.

The Finalists:

  • The Rose & Crown, Rangeworthy
  • The Fleece at Hillesley
  • Old Spot Inn at Dursley
  • The Royal Oak, Chipping Sodbury
  • The Anchor Inn, Thornbury
  • The Falcon, Wotton under Edge

Make sure that your favourite pub is in with a chance to be recognised as Pub of the Year 2019.

Let us know who you think should win NOW via this link