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The Aber Hotel in Abertridwr has been voted the best pub and social club in Wales at this year’s Best of Welsh Business Awards. 

This is the third time the pub has been nominated for this award, coming runners-up last year before securing top spot in Cardiff last Sunday. 

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, the pub’s owner, Lucy Midgley, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled about the result. The nomination itself can’t be submitted by the pub so to be recognised by the community is amazing.

“We’re a big part of this community and it feels great to be recognised. This kind of thing really keeps you motivated to continue.”

The Aber Hotel considered closing its doors last June when, like much of the country, it was stung with a huge increase to its energy bills.

Ms Midgley said: “Our electricity bill went from £650 a month to over £4,000. We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“We’ve managed to reduce that to £2,000 but we still live month-to-month. It’s not a nice situation.”

The Aber Hotel runs a food bank which helps dozens of families each week who need extra support. It has also been hosting the Community Gaming Club, which runs sessions across the borough, each week since the beginning of last year.

Described as more of a “hub than a pub” by Ms Midgley, she is doing her best to avoid passing the costs on to the community: “We’re always very honest with our customers.

“We had to raise prices slightly in December, but we do our best to avoid it. There have been two pubs that shut in the area recently; it’s a difficult time for everyone.”

Despite the tough times, Ms Midgley insists things are on the up for the Aber Hotel: “We’ve got a catering company in which provide food upstairs, including Sunday dinners which is when we get our most customers.

“I really hope this award helps us kick on.”