AN HISTORIC Worcestershire pub is one of the first hostelries in the country to receive a new accolade from the country’s national tourist board VisitEngland.

The Fleece Inn at Bretforton, in the Vale of Evesham, is one of five pubs nationally to be awarded an accreditation plaque for the quality of its service, welcome, food and cleanliness.

The accreditation scheme was launched about two months ago and was developed by VisitEngland in partnership with the British Beer and Pub Association.

The award is open to pubs with or without accommodation and the pub has to pay an annual fee, entitling it to receive an unannounced visit from an experienced assessor who tests all aspects of the customer experience. Scores are awarded in each area and the tourist board will give special accolades annual for top performers in certain aspects such as ‘Welcome’.

Nigel Smith, who has run The Fleece for the past 13 years, received the pub accreditation plaque this week from Marita Sen of VisitEngland at the Pub Show being held at the Olympia exhibition centre, London.

It comes hot on the heels of The Fleece being shortlisted in the finals of this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in the Tourism Pub of the Year category. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday March 8 in the Winter Gardens Blackpool.

Nigel said: “The timing only adds to the anticipation as we await the outcome of this year’s VisitEngland’s Excellence Awards, in which we are a finalist in the Best Tourism Pub category.”

The VisitEngland accreditation scheme aims to offer help and advice to publicans and strengthen the overall quality of what they offer domestic and overseas visitors – supporting a uniquely British Institution.

James Berresford, Chief Executive, VisitEngland, said: “Pubs are an intrinsic part of our English heritage and a huge tourism asset for overseas visitors. With a focus on improving quality across the board this scheme aims to raise standards, ultimately making the pub visitor experience more enjoyable."

It has been an eventful few months for The Fleece as, at the end of last year, it was crowned Country Pub of the Year 2016 in the Good Pub Guide national awards.

Nigel said the pub had been listed in the guide since he took over its running but he was honoured that it had received such a prestigious prize. He said that award had spurred them on and they would be working towards the Pub of the Year Award.