Robert Ward has been named McMullen Bar Person of the Year. The 32-year-old, who works at the Three Horseshoes in Hooks Cross, Stevenage, beat off competition from across the 95-strong McMullen managed estate to win the award. Judging involved three rounds of mystery visits, producing a shortlist of three pubs. Finalists went on a two-day British Institute of Innkeeping Practical Trainer Advanced Qualification before a final assessment by a member of McMullen's mystery drinker team. Ward, who started work as a barman in June last year, won a £2,000 holiday voucher. His managers, Keith and Beverley Morton, won a £1,000 holiday voucher. Runner-up was Joan Aston, of the Crusader, Roydon, who won a £1,500 holiday voucher and in third place was Sarah Murphy of the Stag, Chorleywood, who won a £1,000 holiday voucher. l McMullen is to open a £1.8m style bar called B on the site of the Arts Cinema in Cambridge city centre tomorrow (Friday). It follows the success of McMullen's first two style bars, both called Baroosh, in Hertford and Uxbridge. The bar, which occupies three floors, will have a multi-function entertainment room featuring state-of-the-art audio visual facilities. A fourth McMullen's style bar is scheduled for Staines, Middlesex, next year.
