Located on the corner of St.Mary’s Street in Gloucester, the city’s Pelican Inn has been named Regional Pub of the Year for 2025. This is the first year that the newly-formed West Central Region has made such an award.

CAMRA judges were not only impressed by the quality and variety of the many beers and ciders on offer at the Pelican, but they also commended the strong and welcoming community ethos that characterises the 17th Century pub. Owned by Herefordshire-based Wye Valley Brewery, the Pelican is run by landlord, Mike Hall, with help from his able and enthusiastic team of staff. Equally popular with locals, visitors and rugby followers (Kingsholm Rugby Ground is just a short walk away), the Pelican famously boasts to only selling cask ales and ciders, along with an eclectic range of craft beers in cans. It also runs numerous events, including a number of well-attended and successful beer festivals.

Unusually, the Pelican doesn’t sell the keg lagers pushed so hard by the multi-national brewers in favour of the more local and interesting – and this is something that clearly works judging by the crowds that enjoy frequenting what has become nothing short of an institution for the city of Gloucester.

Landlord, Mike Hall had this to say about winning the prestigious award: “I’m overjoyed the Pelican has been recognised with this award. I’m blessed with passionate staff and loyal customers; good local suppliers and the support from Wye Valley Brewery. It’s reassuring that a small local pub, with its traditional values, can still thrive in an ever-changing pub landscape.”

The Pelican now goes forward to be judged in the prestigious CAMRA National Pub of the Year competition, which will be decided later in the year. Running-up in the regional competition was the Red Lion at Horley in Oxfordshire.

Text acknowledgement: Mark Haslam (15/08/2025)