A BAR-LESS Barry micropub has won national acclaim after it was shortlisted for honours in the SME National Business Awards Pub of the Year category.

The Butterfly Collector, in Holton Road, took the 2019 honour – even though it only opened in August last year – at a ceremony in Wembley Stadium, on Friday, December 6.

The enterprise caters for those who want to savour quality real ales, real ciders, craft ales, and artisan spirits and wine and promises a quiet and relaxing time out.

Owner, Gareth Slattery, 51, employs two part-time staff and works the business himself.

He came up with the idea of establishing the micropub after visiting other micropubs in the UK as a long-distance courier.

Mr Slattery said: “Back in May it was a public vote and I had to write about the pub and why we had been nominated.

"Then a visit, and four judges.

“I didn’t expect to win.

“I was buzzing.

“I was really chuffed, but I was more chuffed for the people in here because when I sent a message back they all started cheering in the pub.

“It doesn’t happen to businesses in Barry.

“It doesn’t happen to pubs in Barry because we have got Cardiff on our doorstep and Cardiff seems to take all the applause.”

The programme write-up stated that the winning pub would be a destination venue with the ‘wow’ factor.

It said they are gems and the customers would be lost without them.

The emphasis would be on high quality drink, food, and service.

The pub is the only pub in the Vale that has made its own beer mats and you can pay at the end.

It is also the only pub in Wales without a bar where people are served at their tables.

“I sell myself on doing things a little bit different,” Mr Slattery said.

“It’s got a little bit of pixie dust – it’s part customers, it’s part the fact we are completely different.

“We have nothing outside and only one toilet.

“That doesn’t enamour people to come to a pub, but they come here.”