By Stuart Rust

STAFF and customers at The Falcon Steakhouse are celebrating after it won the SNJ’s Pub of the Year competition for the Stroud district.

After a month of nominations in August, we had a shortlist of five finalists with voting taking place last month, and hundreds of readers supported their local.

But it was the Falcon in Wotton-under-Edge that emerged victorious, overcoming fellow finalists The Old Badger in Eastington, The Fleece Inn in Hillesley, The Old Spot in Dursley and The Bear Inn in Bisley.

Landlord and head chef at the Falcon, Andrew Starling, said: “I’m really proud and pleased for the whole team who have all worked so hard to help us achieve this.

“It was a tough competition and we were against four excellent pubs, so to come out on top is a dream come true.”

Andrew and the team will be presented with a trophy by Stroud MP Neil Carmichael on Friday. They will also join him for a day at Westminster, as well as serving their brewery's beer at a bar in the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Carmichael said: "Pubs play an important and pivotal role in many communities and villages.

"The Pub of the Year competition is an excellent opportunity for pubs as it serves to highlight the value they bring to the community – not least in bringing people together.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate this year’s winner, The Falcon Steakhouse."

Andrew said he had hoped the Falcon would win, but to do actually claim victory was a big surprise.

"A lot of people did come in and say they had voted for us so we knew we were in with a chance," he said, "but to come out as the clear winner is amazing. And the public vote was always a nice thing. A lot of competitions are decided by a small committee, but to win on a public vote is just great."