Publican Awards 2013: Winners revealed

12-Mar-2013 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 16:58 GMT

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The 2013 Publican Awards host Rob Brydon and BigHospitality's Emma Eversham awarded the Oast House in Manchester as the Best New Site (sponsored by BigHospitality)

Stonegate Pub Company was unveiled as the Best Pub Employer with more than 51 sites in the UK - a category judged by BigHospitality - at the 2013 Publican Awards last night at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

The operator of 540 pubs and bars across the UK, including the Slug & Lettuce and Yates brands, was awarded for its innovative online training programme and its development of people in a category that also saw Spirit Pub Company highly commended.

The Publican Awards, run by our sister publication The Publican's Morning Advertiser(PMA) in association with Sky, recognised the achievements of the nation's leading pub companies across 18 categories including Best Community Pub Operator, Best Drinks Offer and Best Industry Initiative (scroll down for list of winners).

A special Outstanding Achievement Award was also given to John Longden for his work as chief executive of the not-for-profit organisation Pub is the Hub,which provides advice and support for licensees, rural pubs and community services.

Addressing the pub industry audience at the Awards opening, PMA group editor Rob Willock said this year 'there were more winners than ever before', claiming this was indicative of the sector's growing popularity.

"There are those who like to only focus on the negative," he said. "...but pub retail is at an all time high and food offerings are getting better and better."

Willock also spoke of the 'onerous and rigorous' judging process involved in the Publican Awards which sets them apart from others.

Industry celebration

Despite heavy snow wreaking havoc on people using railways and roads connected to London, more than 1,100 people descended on Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane for last night’s ceremony which was hosted by Welsh comedian Rob Brydon.

And it turned out to be a good night for Wales with Cardiff-based brewer and pub operator brewer Brains coming out as double award winners; picking up the accolades for Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) and Best Food Offer.

Other Publican Award-winners included Admiral Taverns for the Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company, Novus Leisure for Best Late Night Operator and the Oast House in Manchester for Best New Site (sponsered by BigHospitality).

The judging process involved numerous site visits by members of the PMA editorial team and by our very own editor Emma Eversham, along with research into each business by market researchers him! and a final round of panel interviews.

Publican Awards 2013: Winners & Highly Commended: -

Outstanding Industry Achievement:

John Longden (Pub is the Hub)

Best New Site:

Winner - Oast House, Manchester - New World Pub Company

Highly commended – Sports Bar & Grill - Waterloo

Best Drinks Offer:

Winner – G1 Group

Highly Commended – Bitters n Twisted

Best Late Night Operator:

Winner - Novus

Highly Commended – Intertain