Orchid, which places a big focus on its apprenticeship scheme, took the prize for Best Pub Employer with 51+ sites.
Oakman Inns took the prize for Best Pub Employer with 2-50 sites, as well as scooping the prize for Best Community Pub Operator.
Big event
The Publican Awards, which are hosted by BigHospitality’ssister publication Publican's Morning Advertiser in association with Sky, recognise the achievements of top pub companies across 18 categories.
More than 1,400 people attended last night’s awards ceremony, which was hosted by comedian John Bishop and attended by Keith Lemon, the new face of Hooch, and two stars of reality TV show The Only Way is Essex.
Other winners on the night included Young’s and Anglian Country Inns, which were celebrated for their food offerings. Young’s also named best Managed Pub Company (51+sites), while Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites) went to Bath Ales.
Fuller’s and Brakspear were crowned the best tenanted/leasedpub companies, while Keith Knowles, managing director of Beds & Bars, picked up the Outstanding Industry Achievement award and Ian Payne, chairman of StonegatePub Company, was named Business Leader of the Year.
Vigorous judging
The winners of the 2014 awards went through a vigorous judging process which included visits to HQs by PMA’s editorial team, mystery site visits to finalist’s outlets and interviews conducted by market researchers him!
The PMA's group editor Rob Willock said: “The Publican Awards is the premier event in the pub industry’s calendar. The judging process remains unapologetically onerous and rigorous. Entering the awards is not something to be done lightly – but if you win, you can be sure you deserve the accolade.
“All our winners are driving their businesses forward with energy and passion. Congratulations to them all.”
The Publican Awards 2014 winners:
- Best Accommodation Offer – Individual Inns
- Best Pub Employer (51+ sites) – Orchid Group
- Highly commended – Marston’s Inns and Taverns
- Best Pub Employer (2-50 sites) – Oakman Inns
- Best Pub Brand/Concept – Be at One
- Highly commended - Orchid’s Pizza Kitchen Bars
- Best New Pub/Bar – The Fishpool, Delamere, Cheshire (Nelson Hotels)
- Highly commended – The Pit, Leeds (Arc Inspirations)
- Best Community Pub Operator – Oakman Inns
- Best Tenanted/Leased Pub company (201+ sites) – Fuller’s
- Best Tenanted & Leased Pub Company (under 200 sites) -Brakspear
- Best Drinks Offer – North
- Highly commended – New World Trading Company
- Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites) – Bath Ales
- Highly commended – New World Trading Company
- Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) – Young’s
- Highly commended – Fuller’s
- Best Ops Team: (large) Charles Wells, (small) Sports Bar & Grill
- Best Microbrewing Pub Company – Leeds Brewery
- Best Food Offer (2-50 sites) – Anglian Country Inns
- Highly commended – Whiting & Hammond
- Best Food Offer (51+ sites) – Young’s
- Best Late Night Operator – Luminar
- Highly commended – Intertain
- Best Industry Initiative – Perceptions Group
- Best Business Initiative – Punch Buying Club
- Highly commended – Luminar
- Business Leader of the Year - Ian Payne, Stonegate
- Outstanding Industry Contribution - Keith Knowles, Beds & Bar