The Royston regulars, staff and owners Andy Smith and Melissa Goacher celebrated the presentation of the East Kent pub of the year award from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) last night (July 16).
The micropub on The Broadway in Broadstairs first opened in 2021 and has consistently won CAMRA awards since for everything from the quality of the beer to great service, staff and décor.
The micropub and coffee house is named after Andy’s dad Roy who passed away at Maurice House after a period of dementia and, in fitting tribute, it first opened on what would have been Roy’s birthday on September 9, 2021.
It has previously won Thanet Pub of the Year (twice) and is now the first isle pub to scoop the East Kent accolade since 2016 when the Yard of Ale took the title.
Martin Knight, from Thanet CAMRA, presented the award saying: “Andy and his team have done a brilliant job and managed to win East Kent Pub of the Year.”
Andy thanked staff, regulars, Melissa and Camra and said the award was “quite an accolade” as it was based on a panel decision and scoring process rather than an open vote.
Scoring highly across eight categories Andy said he thought The Royston might be in with a chance of a national win. First The Royston will go head to head with the West Kent winner, the Nelson Arms in Tonbridge, for the Kent regional title. The winner is then entered for the National CAMRA Pub of the Year competition.
Camra’s Julian Stone, who was also at last night’s presentation, said: “(The Royston) is a place with great service, cleanliness and above all great beer. A real treat to visit.”
Find The Royston at 2 The Broadway, Broadstairs, or on facebook here
