A WEST Reading pub has gone from rags to riches to become a regional finalist in the Pub of the Year Awards.

Six years ago the Nags Head, in Russell Street, was struggling with a lack of customers and no real ale, but a group of west Reading residents took over the pub in 2007 and have successfully made it one of the best in town.

Now The Nags, as it is affectionately known, has won the Reading and Mid-Berks Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of the Year crown five years in a row.

The free house has also gone a step further and won the South Central Counties title, putting it in the top 16 pubs battling it out for CAMRA National Pub of The Year.

Jody Oates, one of the five partners who runs the free house, said they were not getting ahead of themselves and would wait to see what happened.

He added: “It is a bit of surprise, but it is really good to have got so far. The pub used to be owned by Greene King and they couldn’t make anything of it – but I expect they are regretting that now.” Jody and his girlfriend Lola Lodge teamed up with her mum Sylvia, his dad Meeko and friend Ted Allnutt to take a 20-year lease on The Nags from Admiral Pubs. All five have worked hard to make the pub a success, and it now has 10 members of staff working with the partners.

When asked about the secret of their success, Jody said: “It is just a popular pub, we have loads of good ales and beers, a nice friendly atmosphere and really good staff.” Pubs are judged on atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, value for money, customer mix and quality of beer.

In the next round, The Nags will be up against pubs from as far afield as Rugby and Dorset before the national winner is announced in February next year.

Quinten Taylor, vice chairman of the Reading & Mid Berkshire CAMRA branch, said: “Congratulations to the team at the Nags for being voted as one of the best 16 pubs in Britain – a massive achievement.”