Award-winning Watford Two Trees Micro pub on cost of beer

Two Trees Micro in 18 Vicarage Road has been named as Watford Observer’s Pub of the Year 2022.

Having only been open since March this year, it is no mean feat that the micro pub received the most votes from readers to take home the trophy.

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But the financial climate is vastly different now to when the pub first opened.

Its co-owner Michael Ash said: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the future.

“Financially, I wouldn’t say it is easy, but we are trying to keep the price of beer low, so we don’t outprice regulars or locals.”

But he explained the benefits of running a micro-pub instead of a larger premises.

Left: The micro-pub has seating outside. Right: The pub hosted a pride event in May (Image: Michael Ash)

He said: “We are so small we pay a lot less rent than a full pub.

“We are just one room, back corridor and toilet our overheads are significantly small.”

While he is aware of the potential pitfalls the future could bring, Mr Ash believes the upcoming months could help the business.

He said: “We will be showing the world cup so we will have to see what that and Christmas brings.”

Two Trees Micro quiz night with the Watford Observer Pub of the Year banner. (Image: Michael Ash)

The win is something Mr Ash, 34, is pleased with.

He said to his customers: “Thank you for supporting us.

“It has been an interesting eight months and thank you for regularly drinking in our pub.”

The idea for the micro pub is something Mr Ash and his partner Kathryn Perry, 33, have wanted in the area for some time.

He said: “I took redundancy from Network rail and had a lump sum.

“Kathryn and I thought, it’s now or never.

“We always wanted a micro-pub in the area, and one never opened, so we thought we would.”

Rugooo - a carpet throwing game invented by a regular. (Image: Michael Ash)

The couple who both live in Watford have thought about opening a chain of micro-pubs, but it will be in the future.

For now, the duo wants to continue hosting events for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as quizzes and games events.

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