HE has reclaimed his crown after two years of disappointment.

The landlord of Winchester's Wykeham Arms is back on the awards circuit after being named Town Pub of the Year for a second time.

The Kingsgate Street watering hole won the gong in the 2013 Good Pub Guide but lost out to the Old Harkers in Chester and The Park in Bedford in the last two years.

Now Jon Howard, who has run the 18th century pub for six years, has said cheers to his 35-strong staff for regaining the title.

“It’s absolutely brilliant – it’s a fantastic award,” he said.

“We won it in 2012 for 2013 and it was massive for the business, really – great for the staff and great for the team and a great bit of payback for them, for all the hard work. It made us incredibly busy as well!

“We didn’t change anything about how we operated our business. We try to be the best pub we can.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Wykeham Arms staff celebrate their win in the 2013 Good Pub Guide

The Fuller’s-owned firm has its roots in 1755 as a coaching inn. It later neighboured Winchester’s red light district before evolving into a hotel and pub which serves the city’s growing 'foodie' culture.

“It’s probably the most traditional pub you’ll ever step foot in,” Mr Howard said. “You get that feeling when you walk over the threshold. It’s quite museum-like but the welcome is warm.”

Asked whether he was worried by rapid pub closures across the UK, he added: “Around here – I wouldn’t say it’s a protective bubble – but it’s as good as [that] in Winchester.”

Jonathon Swaine, managing director of Fuller’s Inns, said: “This is an incredible achievement for Jon and the team at The Wykeham Arms. It is down to their hard work, commitment and creativity that the pub is at the top of its game.

“The Wykeham Arms is a flagship pub in our estate, showcasing the very best in customer service, quality fresh food and great beer. I am immensely proud of what Jon’s team and the pub have achieved.”

The news came 24 hours after the Pig Hotel, in Brockenhurst, was named holiday hotel of the year by the magazine Conde Nast Traveller.