The Royston micropub in Broadstairs is officially the best pub in Kent, Surrey and Sussex after scooping the South East Regional Pub of the Year 2025 from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
In May, the micropub on The Broadway clinched the Thanet pub of the year title for the third time in a row. It has also won the titles for East Kent and Kent County and has now been crowned the South East regional winner – the first time a Thanet venue has scooped the title in a decade,
The pub, which opened in 2021, has consistently won CAMRA awards for everything from the quality of the beer to great service, staff and décor.
The Royston now goes forward to the penultimate ‘super-regional’ round along with 16 other pubs nationwide for the National Pub of the Year award.
The micropub is owned by couple Andy Smith and Melissa Goacher and is named after Andy’s dad Roy who passed away at Maurice House, opening on what would have been Roy’s birthday on September 9, 2021.
Former salesman Andy confesses he had never poured a pint before opening The Royston and just wanted to “make a positive difference in our community.”
The CAMRA awards are independently judged with each pub secretly nominated and scored by appointed CAMRA members.
In the later stages of the competition, judges come from outside the area of the pubs they are judging.
Andy said: “It’s an interesting place to be, we keep it clean, serve great beer and most importantly welcome our customers as friends. It’s not rocket science but I’m super proud of this accolade and the recognition for the hard work I and my amazing staff put in to make it such a wonderful place to be, and the rich community asset it’s become.
“I’m delighted not only with winning the award for my own personal reasons, but for the exposure it will give Thanet, particularly Broadstairs, making it a destination for real ale drinkers.
“Combined with the Loop Real Ale Trail devised by Scott from Micropub Adventures, it will almost certainly boost trade for our fellow micropubs.”
Thanet CAMRA said: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce that The Royston Micropub, Broadstairs is CAMRA’s South East Regional Pub of the Year 2025! This is a fantastic achievement and a well-deserved recognition for such a fantastic pub.
“The Royston now progresses to CAMRA’s South East Super Regional Pub of the Year 2025 competition, where it will compete alongside The Hope, Carshalton, the Blackfriars Tavern, Great Yarmouth and the Orange Tree, Baldock.
“We wish The Royston the very best of luck in the next stage.
“We’d also like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the CAMRA members for their time and commitment in judging in this year’s POTY competition.”
