UP and down the country pubs continue to struggle watering holes in our area are bucking the trend.

Tom West is the owner of the Red Lion in Manningtree. He has worked in the pub industry for 10 years and took over the South Street pub in March 2012.

Last year the pub was recognised as one of the best in the country after it came runner-up in the Observer Food Monthly magazine Best Place to Drink awards.

He said pubs had come under pressure with supermarkets capable of selling alcohol at dramatically lower prices.

“I feel pubs and the industry are doing quite well at the moment,” he said.