Raise your glasses to The Circle Bar in Clapham which has bagged the best Newcomer of the Year award run by Vanguard Pubs and Restaurants.

The bar fought off competition from more than 500 other venues in the south of England.

The Circle Bar's lessees, Nick Tatchell and Jonathan Simon, have moved full circle in less than a year, from art and design students working in bars to running their own.

They won the award for developing an ordinary pub into an incredibly successful and trendy venue which offers good food and drink, music and a party atmosphere.

Nick said: "We understand the need to work hard to stay ahead in such a competitive and fast-moving industry, and we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised by this award."

Next stop for the hard-working pair is an all-expenses paid, three-day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic.

The grand awards ceremony will be held at the magnificent 19th-century Zofin Palace on Sophia Island on October 29.

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