A CITY centre bar owner said he is “delighted” to be crowned the winner of this year’s Bradford CAMRA pub of the year prize.

The Record Café in North Parade has been handed the award after being voted the top pub in the city by members of the Bradford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

It succeeds The Hop in Saltaire which picked up the gong in 2016, and has become the second venue on North Parade to be handed the prize, following The Sparrow’s win in 2012.

The Record Café’s last success in Bradford CAMRA awards came when it won the Autumn pub of the season award in 2015.

It opened in November 2014 as a record shop offering food and drink, specialising in hams and ales, and currently has more than ten real ales from around the world on tap, with a large selection of international bottled beers, ciders and gins.

The ales available include local brews from Saltaire Brewery, ranging to European beers and even drinks from the other side of the world.

Keith Wildman, owner of the Record Café, said: “I’m delighted, we have all put in a lot of hard work and I have a brilliant team around me.

“It’s nice to have someone come along and tell you you are doing a great job.

“We were really not expecting it, it’s unbelievable and a huge achievement for us.

“Looking at previous winners, which are institutions and set the bar so high, to be on a list with them is brilliant.”

Kerr Kennedy, spokesman for Bradford CAMRA, praised Mr Wildman and his staff at the bar.

He said: “He has consistently brought quality to the bar, which has been a tremendous addition to the Bradford pub scene and the Independent Quarter.

“He has brought an innovative concept which has chimed well with people in Bradford, and he also has very knowledgeable staff.

“It’s not just the beer quality, we also look for ambience, value for money, and friendliness, and following an assessment by an objective panel, it was the Record Café which came out on top.”

Mr Kennedy said other highly commended pubs in the district included The Fox in Shipley, and the Corn Dolly in the city centre.

Elsewhere, The Hartshead, in Hartshead village, has been crowned Pub of the Year by the Heavy Woollen branch of CAMRA, after finishing runner-up for the past three years.

Andy Kassube, chairman of Heavy Woollen CAMRA, said: “The award is testament to the consistency of the beer quality and the warm welcome you receive when you visit.

“The club is integral to the community and has established as a popular venue for a drink and a friendly social visit.

“Since stewards Rob Gell and Emma Simpson took over the club four years ago. it has gone from strength to strength.”