Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE), has re-launched its Warm Welcome awards following the success of last year's programme.
Leased pub operator S&NPE has focused the awards on helping publicans take a closer look at their business from a customer's point of view.
The 'Warm Welcome Best Pub 2005' will go to the pub judged to have fulfilled all criteria, including an assessment of the pub's business objectives, innovations, staff development and general standards.
There are also other awards up for grabs including Best Beer Pub, Best Marketing Pub, Best Food Pub, Best Music Pub, Best Community Pub and Best Bar Person.
Last year's overall winner, the Mill House in Birtley, Durham, run by Carl McDonald, won £4,000 worth of holiday vouchers in recognition of his success in turning the pub around.
Carl said: "Winning the award was confirmation that we are doing something right. It's rewarding to receive recognition for your efforts, but more importantly taking part in the programme has had a knock-on effect on trade and the sense of pride our team has in the pub they help run."
S&NPE mystery visitors will be judging pubs from July, with regional winners announced towards the end of the year and overall winners revealed in 2006. S&NPE Marketing Manager, Louise Dennett said: "We know that running a pub is hard work. Warm Welcome is a constructive appraisal that pubs can carry out to monitor how well they're already doing and in the long term, will help highlight areas that could be strengthened. We believe that's a win-win for our lessees and customers alike."