Great British Pub Awards 2014: Winners revealed

10-Sep-2014 - Last updated on 12-Sep-2014 at 09:30 GMT

Winners of the Sky Great British Pub of the Year Susie Clarke and Joel Czopor from The Grafton in Kentish Town. They are pictured with David Rey from Sky Business and awards host Natalie Pinkham

The Grafton in Kentish Town, London has been crowned the Sky Great British Pub of the Year 2014.

The Enterprise lease, which is run by licensees Susie Clarke and Joel Czopor, was selected from the Great British Pub Award’s 17 national category winners to take the top title.

Clarke and Czopor were presented with their award by Sky Sport’s F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham at a glittering sports-themed awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, London. The awards are organised by the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

The pair were also named national champions in the Best Partnership Pub category.

Judges were impressed with how the Grafton is a diverse modern business, that remains true to the ideals of a traditional pub.

Impressive

The Grafton offers a fantastic range of events and promotions, which helps stimulate business across all days and day parts. In the past year an impressive new all-weather roof terrace has opened which has seen sales increase by 40%.

The pub won Best Entertainment Pub in last year's awards and among regular events are Wiff Waff Wednesdays, open mic nights, quiz nights, clothing swaps and sing along Sundays.

A great drinks offer is in place with eight hand pumps rotating award-winning ales, local craft beers on tap and in bottles and wines and prosecco on tap.

Publican’s Morning Advertiser editor Rob Willock said: "The licensees of this proper cornerstone pub that sits in the heart of Kentish Town and Camden’s community leave no stone unturned in their quest for business building ideas and GP improvement.

"The product range, the service standards and the use of under utilised pub space has opened up new possibilities for this pub that have transformed its prospects."

National champions were also announced at the ceremony in 17 categories, selected from 90 regional winners.

The 2014 winners are:

Best Freehouse: Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston, Lancashire

Best Community Pub: The Grange, Ealing, London

Best Managed Pub: Woolly Sheep Inn, Skipton, Yorkshire

Best Partnership Pub: The Grafton, Kentish Town, London

Best Turnaround Pub: Bell at Stow, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire

Best Newcomer: Matt Samuel, Pig on the Hill, Westward Ho!, Devon

Best Food Pub: Pony & Trap, Chew Magna, Bristol

Best Entertainment Pub: Anchor, Wingham, Kent

Best Family Pub: Fighting Cocks Pub and Riverside Restaurant, Horton Kirby, Kent

Best Spirits Pub: The Office, Brighton, East Sussex