Pub that opened during Covid crisis is in final four for Britain's best boozer

Pub that opened during Covid crisis is in final four for Britain's best boozer Bosses of The Cockpit in Chislehurst, Kent negotiated lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic — but the micropub and shop owned by the community is now thriving A pub which only opened during the Covid crisis is among the final four in the running for Britain’s best boozer. The Cockpit in Chislehurst, Kent, began serving in late December 2020, in a former shop, with the pandemic in full swing. It was able to start operating more normally the following summer as lockdown rules were eased and quickly became popular with the local community. And now, just six years after opening, it is in the race to be the Campaign for Real Ale’s National Pub of the Year 2026. To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google then make us your preferred source. Free and easy-to-do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed. Licensee Adam Miller called getting down to the final four “boggling news”. He added: “It has caused a frenzy of frenetic jubilation amongst us staff and stalwarts at The Cockpit. “This is a pub stripped back to basics, where the pristinity of our ales, ciders, food and wine speak to the uncompromising standards of the producers that grace our floorboards, along with our punters’ intangible whimsies seasoning the atmosphere so dotingly, it is a truly treasured environment to serve such a convivial community. “Thank you to all the stagehands that keep the wheels in motion, both on the jump and behind the curtain, and thank you, CAMRA, for recognising our little boozer with this accreditation; what splendid company to be in.” CAMRA describes the Cockpit, which is shared with a florists, as having an easy going, chatty atmosphere, “with a £1 fine for using any mobile phones or foul language.” The other three finalists are The Turks Head, St Helens; the Countryman’s Inn, Hunton, Yorkshire; and the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth. The Turks Head has been a previous regional winner, while the Tamworth Tap will be fighting for a record-breaking fourth National Pub of the Year title. The Mirror has long championed the cause of community pubs through its Your Pub Needs You campaign. However, it comes amid ongoing tough times for many in the sector, with figures this week showing pubs were closing at an average rate of one every day this year. Andrea Briers, CAMRA Pub of the Year Coordinator, said: “Despite the well-documented challenges facing our pubs and brewers, these licensees have not just survived, but thrived. All four are amazing places that are definitely worth a visit, whether you want a top-quality pint, or just a brilliant community-orientated vibe.” Clare Harrison, licensee of the Turks Head, said: “To say we’re over the moon is an understatement. We’re incredibly proud to have reached the final four pubs, and to be representing St Helens at this level is honestly a dream come true. Dan Male, licensee of the Countryman’s Inn, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have made it to the last four. In our fourth year of community ownership the pub continues to grow, and we are so proud to be recognised by CAMRA in the work we are doing." And George Greenaway, landlord of the Tamworth Tap, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have made the final four again. It honestly feels just as exciting as it did the first time we became finalists. We were keeping everything crossed.”