The Albion Gin and Ale House is flying the flag for Jarrow in the Good Beer Guide 2021

The Albion Gin & Ale House on Walter Street is found proudly on page 424 of the book, published by the beer and pub pressure group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), though it comes at a difficult time for the trade.

But The Albion is aiming to fight back, with landlord Jess McConnell believing its inclusion in the latest Good Beer Guide is a big help.

He said: "It’s a great honour for the pub. We have a loyal core of customers who have tried to support us through these difficult trading times.

"Real ale has helped us to survive as it’s a product you can only purchase at the pub.”

The Albion was ordered to close for a time in September over Covid-19 regulation issues.

Pubs were subsequently hit hard by Tier 2 restrictions, which barred households mixing indoors, facing even tougher times as the North East appeared on course to enter Tier 3.

Then came the news that all pubs in England would close until at least December 2 under new lockdown rules, with Jess looking forward to reopening when he can.

Although the pub has now been included in the guide in six successive years, this is its first inclusion since reopening under its original name from 1865 and restoring its Victorian roots. It had previously been The Jarrow Crusaders, then McConnell’s. It opened in its doors as the Albion in December, 2019.

In normal times customers find a cosy, traditional pub with two log fires and entertainment including acoustic nights and quizzes. But it has been an extremely tough time for the pub industry.

The Good Beer Guide describes the bar as: “A well-appointed conversion of the old Crusader, with an emphasis on wooden panelling, vintage photographs of the area and pub memorabilia.”

North East leaders are hopeful the region will fall into a lower category of restrictions when the month-long second national lockdown ends, which would give pubs and other businesses in the hospitality industry an easier time when they are allowed to reopen.

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