A LANDLADY behind a centuries-old Bradford pub in the running for an award has transformed its reputation into a welcoming spot.

The Victoria, in Victoria Road, Eccleshill, is one of 10 bars or pubs battling it out to be named the Telegraph & Argus’ Best Pub 2024.

The Victoria, in Victoria Street, EccleshillThe Victoria, in Victoria Street, Eccleshill (Image: UGC)

Readers were invited to share their favourite watering holes and an amazing 6,389 nominations came in.

These were whittled down to the final 10 and we are in the process of publishing profiles on each of them.

Inside The VictoriaInside The Victoria (Image: UGC)

Inside The VictoriaInside The Victoria (Image: UGC)

Charlotte Walker, 39, who is originally from Swain House but now lives above the pub she runs, with her three children, feels “absolutely fantastic” to be shortlisted.

She said: “I can’t believe it.”

Charlotte added: “It is a brilliant job, meeting old and new customers daily, it can be tiring some days but I would never change my role.”

Charlotte Walker, who runs The VictoriaCharlotte Walker, who runs The Victoria (Image: UGC)

The pub - which sits atop a foreboding hill, the Bank - originally opened in 1632 before being rebuilt in 1839 and is the heart of the Thorpe Edge estate, according to Charlotte

She said: “The pub has a very good relationship with customers, it is a very friendly, family-run environment, and most customers now see me like their family, which is beautiful.

“The pub is very important to the local community because their family members drank in here.”

The Victoria boasts the “best pool table in BD2 and BD10” in a separate taproom, according to Charlotte.

The pub's famous pool tableThe pub's famous pool table (Image: UGC)

Inside The VictoriaInside The Victoria (Image: UGC)

It also throws a variety of parties for children, as well as themed nights, including one dedicated to the Spice Girls and others channelling the atmosphere of a festival.

But it has not always been plain-sailing for The Victoria, which employs three other members of staff, according to its latest landlady.

And Charlotte has worked hard to turn its reputation around.

An outdoor area round the back of The VictoriaAn outdoor area round the back of The Victoria (Image: UGC)

An outdoor area round the back of The VictoriaAn outdoor area round the back of The Victoria (Image: UGC)

She said: “The feedback is amazing because a few years ago, it turned into a bad pub with constant fighting.

“Now all I hear is ‘you should be proud you have turned this pub around’, it is a very welcoming, fun, friendly, family pub and we will definitely be back again.

“And they love the fact we have a really big enclosed back area with TVs for all sporting occasions.”

Charlotte added: “I am so pleased that a long-running pub in the heart of Eccleshill, the heart of Thorpe Edge, has made it to the top 10, it just proves I've made the right choice taking it on.”