A "REAL sense of family" can be found at a Bradford pub which is hoping to toast success in a contest.
The Telegraph & Argus recently launched its Best Pub 2024 competition, with readers invited to share their favourite establishments.
We received a remarkable 6,389 nominations, which were whittled down to 10, and we are now profiling each of the finalists.
One of the businesses in the running for the title is the Brewery Tap, on Albion Road, which has been managed by Courtney Gaunt and her partner Alex East since January.
The Brewery Tap (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)
Courtney told the T&A: "We are absolutely overwhelmed with the local response to this competition.
"It's amazing to see some recognition for our Bradford pubs.
"It's no secret that the hospitality industry has been suffering for the last couple of years - and it's important to keep the existing venues alive and kicking."
Inside the popular pub (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)
Courtney and Alex said they work alongside six "enthusiastic, hard-working" members of staff - and they were full of praise for their customers.
"Between our staff and customers, you get a real sense of family," said Courtney.
"Regardless of age or social background, we find that everyone comes together in the Tap, often making the least suspecting of friends.
"We can proudly say that we often see a full-house of staff on the weekends, whether they're working behind the bar or enjoying their night off.
"There's a lot of joy in finding a true social life in your place of work."
Before the Brewery Tap opened in 1986, the building was used as a bakery (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)
Courtney added: "The Tap is, and always has been, a place of refuge.
"We operate under the ideal of good people, good music and great beer.
Guinness is the pub's current best-seller (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)
"To many, the Tap has seen them through all walks of life.
"These walls have seen countless wedding parties, memorials and birthdays.
"It's important to us for this to still be the case in another 30 years' time - for a whole new set of people."
The pub garden (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)
The pub also operates as a live music venue, with bands performing from 9.30pm until midnight every Friday and Saturday.
Staff are currently preparing for the pub's IdleFest, which will feature bands from the underground music scene, on August 25.
The pub also hosts a range of charity events - an open-mic night will take place in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust on August 18.
To vote for your favourite pub, all you need to do is fill out the voting form which can be found in the T&A newspaper until August 3.
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