Pub Awards: Best Community finalist - Alexandra Vaults, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

Run by tenant Joanna Phelps for the past 15 years, this Punch operation continues to thrive despite its less than obvious location, tucked away behind a former hotel at the top of the cliffs in the seaside town of Saltburn, North Yorkshire.

A great sense of understated style greets visitors to Joanne Phelps’ establishment. With three separate rooms tastefully curated to create a different experience for different clientele, this pub has a lot to offer the visitors who can track it down.

Location is always going to be the biggest challenge for Jo and her team, so she’s developed an innovative way of dragging in the tourists from the beach with the use of decorated old bikes carrying blackboards to promote the pub, which she can move from location to location throughout the day.

Family

A recently redecorated family room provides a huge draw for local parents and children, and with free pool and jukebox until 6pm, the pub is busy during the quieter daytime period.

A strong sense of community underwrites this successful business, and Joanne is a keen supporter of her more vulnerable customers, even to the extent of taking them meals to eat at home when they’re unwell. A close relationship with local business owners has helped develop a system of mutual support and Joanne’s active work as chair of the local Pubwatch scheme means the Alexandra Vaults is a fundamental part of the local community.