A PUB landlord with a passion for real ales is celebrating the first anniversary of his micro pub in Worcester.

The Bull Baiters Inn, in St John’s, is the only micro pub in the city and is run by Chris Hankins, who is also in charge of the Brunswick Arms, Malvern Road, with his wife Kelly.

The landlord has worked in the pub trade for 15 years but simply loves the traditional pub environment the Bull Baiters offers. He even did the work to convert it from a shop.

Chris said he is really pleased with the way it has grown gradually in popularity. “There is no music, there is no TV and there are no gaming machines. It is just conversation and real ale, cider and perry.

“I wanted to get away from a conventional pub. Ale is my passion. With real ale you have to nurture it and that is not what most pubs do. It is much more satisfying that connecting a barrel of larger.”

Chris, the longest serving landlord in St John’s, said the Bull Baiters Inn was not meant to be a major business but a low key affair. His wife Kerry has been running the Brunswick while he concentrates on the Bull Baiters.

“We are not looking for late night trade – we close at 9.30pm – partly because it is just me doing it here. It is designed to be low key and easy maintenance. It has worked a treat over the first 12 months.

“People can see that the concept works and there might be a few more applications for micro pubs.”

Chris, aged 65, said he doesn’t have to go out finding new beefs - the breweries he uses tend to find him now. “There are hundreds of small breweries around and I deal with about 40 breweries at the moment. I do try to support local ones.”

He said customers have come from the US, Kent and Bournemouth. Micro pub landlords from other parts of the country have dropped by to see what the Bull Baiters offers.

“One of the main attractions is that it is traditional. Everyone is together in one room and it is very rare that a conversation doesn’t start up. Traditionally that is what an ale house or parlour house was like.

“People make friends here and a lot of customers say how nice it is to get away from screens.” He admits people can play the odd pub game like crib but the pub doesn’t have teams or play in leagues.

“The Bull Baiters has become a favourite destination for men and women, young and old who appreciate the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the micro pub. Strangers talk to each other and friendships develop creating something which is far more than just a local boozer, added Chris.

As a thank you to the many customers that have supported the pub over the past year, Chris has been giving away 365 drinks during May.