Prestoungrange Gothenburg, Prestonpans

This pub is of great importance both for its superb Edwardian fittings and because it is run along Gothenburg lines. It was built in 1908 of red sandstone for the East of Scotland Public Houses Trust in Arts and Crafts style and still retains its original interior. The pub was sold to the London-based Trust Houses Ltd in 1919 and then in 1965 to Bass and operated as a conventional commercial pub. By the mid-1990s it was failing, and in 2001 it was closed but passed into the hands of the present enlightened ownership. After meticulously restoration, it re-opened in 2003 and won the CAMRA national conservation award for the quality of the work. The public bar is a wonderful room with superbly designed features – low, segmental arches at the sides with vertical struts, deep green tiles, panelling and a spectacular jug bar. The latter involves a tiny cubicle (with a seat on the right) in front of the entrance lobby and includes woodwork of considerable intricacy.

To the left is an elegantly panelled lounge used mainly for food and non-alcoholic refreshments. Since 2001 the building has been extended at the rear to include a small brewery (opened May 2004). There are further rooms upstairs all with modern fittings. The Gothenburg system originated in the Swedish city in 1865 as a means of encouraging temperance. A key principle was that managers gained no benefit from alcohol sales but did so from food and non-alcoholic drinks. Profits above a certain percentage (usually 5%, as here) were devoted to projects for the benefit of the community.