BED BAR is the best bar in Woking according to the people who really matter. . . you.

The late-night cocktail bar on Church Path scooped the Woking News & Mail-sponsored People’s Choice prize at the inaugural Best Bar None awards at HG Wells Centre on Monday.

The Bed Bar team returned to the stage moments later after being declared the Best Bar in the town.

Managing director Paul Fisher and his staff were the big winners on the night, alongside Guildford Road pub The Sovereigns which scooped the Best Pub and Miller Brands UK ­Overall Award.

And Paul, 32, was delighted that the club’s turnaround in ­fortunes from a low-key beginning five years ago has been appreciated and recognised in the public vote.

He said: “We’ve been in the town for five years now and we’ve gone from the worst club in the area to the best – it’s a fantastic feeling. We are pretty relieved to be honest because we’ve achieved what we set out to do and that was to become the best bar in Woking.

“A few new members of staff have come in and really got on board with the competition.

“We’ve reviewed all our policies and procedures and this award is recognition for all the hard work we have put in. There is a Bed Bar inReading and a new bar in Torquay and both of those will be entering the Best Bar None competition next year. We want to win all three.”

Paul also had a message for anyone thinking of challenging for his Best Bar crown next year.

He said: “I would encourage anyone and everyone to get involved in Best Bar None.

“Everyone has upped their standards and trouble has fallen – this really is a brilliant scheme.” A total of 40 pubs and clubs entered this year’s competition.

The Sovereigns were also  in celebratory mood after their double success with Chameleon nightclub on Chertsey Street earning the title of Best Club.

The Sovereigns manager Chris Kelly, 40, is a 20 year veteran of pub management but admitted winning the Best Pub award in his first year in Woking was something a bit special.

He said: “We are throwing a bit of a party for the staff and the regulars, there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’ and they are just as part of this success as anyone.

“It was a great feeling because it went to a public vote. We like to think we give the public what they want and it is nice to know they see it that way.”