A MUCH-loved family-run pub has been named Durham City’s best-run licensed premises for 2022.

The Colpitts Hotel won the prestigious gold award for 2022 as part of a scheme being run by the City of Durham Parish Council to promote responsible licensed premises in the city centre.

Other winners included the Station House – which won the Silver Award, whilst the Half Moon Inn and the recently opened Rib n Reef restaurant took home the joint bronze award as part of the scheme.

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While other similar schemes focus on the quality of the alcohol served at premises, the parish council’s scheme included criteria such as how the premises engages with the local community and how it promotes a positive community cohesion.

The criteria also include how it supports the city’s “Shhh….11pm to 7am” campaign - aimed at keeping the city quiet for residents trying to sleep at night.

Durham has a rapidly growing night-time economy with more premises set to be welcomed in the heart of the City at the first phase of the Milburngate development later this year.

The Colpitts hotel pub is a well-known landmark in the city’s Viaduct Area and was built in around 1836. The pub recently changed ownership in October of last year.

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In accepting this award, Colpitts publican Gary Peirson said: “We are delighted to have won this award and it brings us so much happiness that our community pub has been recognised in such a way.”

Chair of the Parish Council’s licensing committee Councillor Susan Walker said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognising these amazing businesses in this way.

"As a council, we identify the pub trade as an important and growing sector in the city and we hope that this award will not only put a spotlight on best practise but will boost footfall, encourage more inclusive enjoyment of what our City has to offer and grow the City’s economy in the process”.

She added: “The aim of this award is twofold - to bring the day time and night time economies of the City together in some way and to make the early evening and night time economies more appealing for families.

"It recognises those premises which go above and beyond in how they operate responsibly. We all know Durham – recently shortlisted for the coveted City of Culture 2025 Award - to be a phenomenal place for all to enjoy.

"We were blown away by the quality of the applications from our licensed premises and are delighted to present Colpitts and others with these award."

This year was the inaugural year for the licensing awards and the Parish Council is looking to run this competition on an annual basis.

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