As well as their overall winners, they have also selected the best pub in each East Lancashire district.

The best pub of the 2022, and the best in Pendle, is the Bankers Draft micropub in Gisburn Road, Barrowford.

The small, community pub is known for its selection of ales and community feel, where “everyone knows everyone.”

Bankers Draft micropub on Gisburn Road in Barrowford. (Photo: Google Maps)

Owner, Tracey Holden, has been running the pub since October 2014 and said she was “thrilled” to find out the news.

She said: “It feels fantastic to be recognised.

“We had a bit of a celebration when we were named best Pendle pub and then towards the end of the week I got the call saying we had won the East Lancashire award – we were thrilled.”

Tracey thinks the pub’s wide selection of drinks and strong sense of community helped them to secure the top spot.

She said: “My regulars call themselves part of the Bankers family now and it’s a real community pub where everybody knows everybody’s name.

“If you’ve been in the pub three times you won’t get out before I have found out your name and introduced you to someone else – that’s just how it works here.

“We have served 1,700-1,800 different beers so far. We try to have a selection on offer and we provide for everybody.”

She is the only worker at the pub, doing the cleaning, serving and ordering all by herself - with the occasional help from customers.

She said: “There’s only me. The pub is a tiny place and I don’t have any staff. However, a couple friends of mine will jump behind the bar if it get busy.”

Tracey, who worked in financial services for 28 years before managing the pub, said it is nice to be recognised after a challenging few years.

She said: “I opened this pub without ever having served a beer before… to get to this stage makes it all worthwhile.

“After what we have been through with two years of Covid it’s really nice to be recognised and it gives you a spring in your step after a challenging period.”

Waddington Village Club, in Clitheroe Road, also received special recognition after being named branch club of the year.

A winner from each East Lancashire district was also selected in this year's awards.

The Swan with Two Necks was branch pub of the year in 2020/2021 and was named best in the Ribble Valley for 2022.

Owner, Steve Dilworth, runs the pub alongside his wife, Christine, sons Robert and Michael, as well as Michael’s wife, Danielle.

Steve said: “It’s a great achievement, especially after the two years we have just come through.

“We are a family run business which has been around for 35 years this year. We have put our hearts and souls into it and we have some very good staff who work for us as well.”

Steve said the secret to success is serving a vast selection of ales - and also taking some times to chat to the barrels of ales.

He said: “We stock a range of beers and really know our customers … I also spend some time in the cellar talking to the barrels.

“I am known as the barrel talker and people think I am daft for talking to them and coaxing them on… but clearly, it works.”

East Lancashire pub of the year winners 2022 – full list

Blackburn with Darwen

Bird in th’hand, Duckworth Street, Darwen

Burnley

The New Brew’m, St James’ Row, Burnley

Hyndburn

Old England Forever, Church Street, Clayton-le-moors

Rossendale

The Hop, Bank Street, Rawtenstall

Pendle

Bankers Draft, Gisburn Road, Barrowford

Ribble Valley

Swan with Two Necks, Pendleton

East club of the year winners 2022 -full list

Blackburn with Darwen

Cherry Tree Cricket Club, Blackburn

Burnley

KSC 110 Club

Hyndburn

Canine Club, Accrington

Pendle

Rolls Royce Leisure, Barnoldswick

Rossendale

Whitworth Vale and Healey Band Club, Whitworth

Ribble Valley

Whitworth Village Club, Waddington