The Nightingale has stormed to victory to win my Pub of the Year competition for a second consecutive year. Situated on the corner of Lind Road and Carshalton Road, the pub received over 450 votes from loyal customers both via my Sutton Local website and paper entries on the bar.

Congratulations to The Railway in Cheam Village and The Robin Hood in West Sutton, coming second and third respectively. One loyal Nightingale punter will also be randomly selected to receive a £100 bar tab to spend in the winning pub.

I really enjoy organising this local annual contest as well as my Independent Shop of the Year competition. Local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and for our high streets to thrive and create jobs, whilst maintaining their character, local people have to come out and support them. In this competition that is exactly what has happened, so it is wonderful to see.

I am committed to continuing these fun competitions as a way to reward the hard work of local business owners and to put the spotlight on issues acting as barriers to a healthy local economy. Some people have suggested organising one for charities or restaurants, which I will certainly look into.