Column in the Barry & District News by Alun Cairns MP:

This month I have launched my annual Parliamentary Pub of the Year competition, where I invite pubs across the Vale of Glamorgan to put themselves forward for a public vote to pick the favourite for 2020.

It’s always a fun competition to hold, however, this time around there is a significant difference. I am conscious that this year, above any, we really need to support our pubs and I hope that the competition can help to highlight that.

We all know about the incredible challenge that the hospitality sector has faced since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and while they will have been greatly helped by initiatives like the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, they still need our help as we approach winter.

So, I’ve decided to use this competition to help to promote local pubs and draw attention to their best features and offers that they have available. You can see this on my Facebook page.

This is the time to support our local pubs. They have worked so hard to ensure that they have adapted to the Covid rules to keep us safe, including the installation of screens, use of the track and trace app, wide availability of hand sanitiser and table service.

Pubs are the hubs of our communities and we need to make sure that they can get through this crisis and remain a key part of our communities going forward.

We have many excellent pubs in the Vale, meaning that you don’t need to travel far within our local lockdown boundaries to enjoy the fantastic food and drink that they have on offer. You can visit indoors with your household or if the weather is nice enough, you can enjoy some of the brilliant outdoor areas – many of which have been enhanced with lighting, heaters and coverings over recent months!

The competition is open until Friday 23rd October. Please visit my website www.aluncairns.com to vote for your favourite – but more importantly, make sure that you go out and support your local!