THE Albion Social and Snooker Club in Kendal has been voted by readers as the best pub in the Gazette's patch.

Up against four other establishments and taking the win with 45 per cent of the vote, the owners are over the moon with the result.

Katie Wilson, one of The Albion's owners, said the win was 'absolutely amazing'.

MORE TOP STORIES:

"It's absolutely amazing," she said. "We are completely overwhelmed by it."

Katie and her husband Sam have been at the helm of The Albion for the past six years and now has around 600 active members although you do not have to be a member to go in.

The couple's aim was to make the establishment a friendly and social place for snooker and drinking.

Although the snooker and darts teams that are associated with The Albion have a big presence within the local leagues, The Albion is not just about snooker.

They have been keen to attract both men and women as well as all ages and there are regular events throughout the year.

The couple regularly raise money for charity, host an annual Christmas get together, will sometimes offer free snooker and pool for members and give vouchers to regular visitors. They also host events for corporate clients.

"It's friendly," Kate said. "It's a place where you can just go and have a chat and have a drink. It's not pounding music on a Friday and Saturday it's a friendly nice relaxed atmosphere.

"We have made so many friends doing it. We were saying since we started, how many weddings have we attended, how many babies have been born among our now massive group of friends."

Sam added that with a young family it was not always the easiest of jobs but that to be recognised by customers made 'everything worthwhile'.

He said that they had huge respect for the other businesses nominated and they were places that they visited themselves.

"People are not going to say to you every day that you do such a good job," Katie said. "But to get recognition is just what we needed."