A community-owned pub in Ryton, Gateshead, has been recognized as one of the top 16 pubs in the United Kingdom and is now competing for the title of 2026 Pub of the Year. Ye Olde Cross, a family-run alehouse located on the village green, earned a place in the Campaign for Real Ale’s (Camra) latest Good Beer Guide.

The pub, which dates back to the mid-19th century with partial reconstruction completed in 1909, had faced closure in 2018. Following its shutdown, local residents formed the Ryton Cross Community Society, a cooperative established to purchase and revive the historic building. Despite lacking prior experience in managing a pub, community members raised funds by issuing shares, securing loans, and obtaining grants to finance the project.

Over 18 months, amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperative restored the property and transformed it into a community hub. Ye Olde Cross now offers a selection of local beers and features a function room on the upper floor to serve as a venue for various events.

The inclusion of Ye Olde Cross in the 2026 Good Beer Guide places it alongside 15 other reputable pubs from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These establishments will undergo further judging, with the shortlist to be narrowed to four in October. The overall winner is scheduled to be announced in January 2026.