Popular South Shields boozer The Marine crowned Sunderland and South Tyneside’s CAMRA Pub of the Year

The Marine was voted Pub of the Year by CAMRA members in Sunderland and South Tyneside, topping veteran winner The Steamboat on Mill Dam, which has won the title for the last five years.

The pub on Ocean Road is owned by Alex Chandler - son of musician and former Slade and Jimi Hendrix manager, Chas Chandler - and his wife Steph Oliphant-Chandler, who took over in September 2015 and converted to real ales a year later.

The couple, who found out the news on Wednesday, February 5, said they were ‘blown away’ to win the award for the first time after being runners up for the last two years.

“It’s fantastic, it shows that the years of hard work have paid off,” said Alex, who has been running pubs for 15 years.

“It has very much been a team effort. When we bought the pub there was just the two of us now there’s 12.”

The landlord puts the Marine’s success down to the friendly atmosphere, fair prices and impressive real ale selection, but said they couldn’t have done it without their loyal punters.

The Marine will now compete in the competition’s regional round against boozers in Northumberland, Durham and Tyne and Wear, later this year.

“It’s lovely to have the recognition from the locals of South Shields, who have been coming through the door for the last five years,” Alex added.

“We couldn’t have done it without their support.”

Chair of CAMRA South Tyneside and Sunderland, Michael Wynne, commented: “They have done a really good job. Considering the short length of time they have had the pub, it’s gone from having no cask ales when they took over to having six. The beer range is excellent, the pub itself is immaculate and it’s just got something about it, which every pub should have.”

He added: “I’m pleased to see them win after coming runner up the last couple of years. Hopefully they will go through the next stage and onto the final.”