Southsea pub crowned the best in the region for the seventh time

The Hole In The Wall, in Great Southsea Street, Southsea, has once again scooped the Campaign for Real Ale’s Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire pub of the year.

It’s the fifth year on the trot the local has bagged the prize, and had previously also won it in 2007 and 2009.

The pub will be presented with a trophy by local Campaign for Real Ale branch members at a later date to honour its success.

Last year, in celebration of the pub’s victory, supporters went on a pub crawl around Portsmouth, taking in The Eldon Arms, in Eldon Street, Southsea, Brewhouse and Kitchen, in Guildhall Walk, The Trafalgar, in Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth, and The Invincible, in Wickham Street, Portsea.

Jon McKerracher, landlord of The Hole In The Wall, was delighted to be recognised for all of his hard work and his team’s efforts.

He said: ‘It’s very much an honour to win it again, and we’re pleased as we must be doing something right.

‘My current manager, Tony Durrant, keeps his 100 per cent win ratio as he joined us about three and a half years ago.

‘I have excellent staff now also, which plays an enormous part in a pub.’

Jon and his wife Kerry McKerracher bought the pub and turned it into a freehouse in 2012.

It means there are no restrictions on the sort of drinks that can be sold, and it doesn’t have to abide by rules of a major pub firm.