EastEnders Queen Vic looks exactly like Fruiterers Arms bar area

Tucked away down a country lane, Fruiterers Arms on Uphamton Lane in Ombersley it is not unusual to see a horse tied up in the car park while the owner enjoys a cheeky pint.

Despite its countryside setting, it has been likened to a famous fictional London pub - The Queen Vic - for its style rather than any drama between locals.

Even barmaid Sylvie Dunn has been cheekily nicknamed 'Barbara' after Barbara Windsor who played the Eastenders pub's infamous landlady Peggy Mitchell.

She has worked as a barmaid at the pub for 25 years and said: "When I first started here, you could get a pint for 75p.

"This pub is special." 

Generations knew the May family who previously owned the Fruiterers Arms for almost 200 years. 

In the 1900s a house was transformed into the traditional and community pub bringing in locals from across the nearby villages.

Ted and his wife in 2009 at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

But the pub was bought by the Lunnon family when Ted May died in 2020.

Managers and landlords Lindsay Dixon and Matthew Foster have been in place for the past two years. 

Mr Foster said: "It's just far enough into the countryside but also close enough to access everything you need.

"It's a lovely countryside pub and we get quite a lot of support from locals and have regular visitors.

"We've been told a few times the bar looks similar to the one in EastEnders.

Bar area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

"But we are unique and friendly a person could walk in and start chatting with a stranger, there is always someone to talk to here."

Mis Dixon added: "We've tried to keep the pub as original as possible, for us it's more about maintenance than renovation.

Bar area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

"That's how our customers like it and we're a community pub.

"We don't run to make a major profit, we just run to keep people coming in and happy."

Although the pub has a wide-screen television, a jukebox and speakers, they only started using a card machine about 18 months ago.

Mr Foster said: "Ted was really against it - he didn't want a card machine for years to keep the pub old-fashioned.

"But since getting a card machine, we've been able to get a lot more trade.

"In the olden days, everything was done by cash, you would pay as you go.

Lounge area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

"We're yet to get Wi-Fi as well."

Conservatory area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

Although the card machine has increased their trade, the landlords said building the pub back up after lockdown has been hard because not many people know they are there.

Conservatory area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

Miss Dixon said: "We are finding it hard at the minute because we are hidden away.

"It has been quieter since the pandemic, but most of our customers have grown up in the pub.

Lounge area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

"People who are in their 80s now had their first drink in the pub."

Regular customer Derek Hine, age 83, had his first drink at the pub in 1958 when he was 18.

Lounge area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

In the late 70s, an extra lounge area was added to the bar which is considered to be the "modern part" of the building.

Miss Dixon described the lounge as "the sound of silence" as the only noise available was the sound of the grandfather ticking in the background. 

Lounge area at the Fruiterers Arms (Image: NQ)

Mr Foster chuckled and said: "People still come in here and say it's like being in their gran's front room."

OUTSIDE: There are plenty of seating areas outside when its sunny (Image: NQ)

Miss Dixon added: "We are trying to keep our prices low and affordable with the cost of living."

Beer Garden: punters will be able to enjoy live music in the sun (Image: NQ)

In the field opposite, regulars will be able to enjoy a pint in the sun as the pub's new beer garden is set to make its first debut.