St Austell determined to keep pubs open

St Austell Brewery boss James Staughton says he's "determined" not to let the Cornish company's pubs close as recession hits.

He told 280 tenants, pub managers and suppliers at the annual St Austell Brewery Estate Awards at the Headland Hotel, Newquay: "When people ask me what the future holds for this year I say that the industry is facing very difficult times and that there are pubs out there that are going to close.

"But I also add that I'm determined, and the Brewery will do everything in its power, to ensure that it won't be St Austell Brewery pubs closing.

"I believe we have the best pubs and a great team of people running them and we are going to work very hard to keep it that way."

Estate director Adam Luck said: "It has been a challenging time and there are further challenges ahead but despite all the economic gloom we are convinced our pub estate is second to none and with a great team on board we are very well equipped to ride out the storm."

New Tenants of the Year were Simon and Emma Messanger of the Russell Inn, Polruan. Tenant of the Year was Tim Vigus of the Tyacks Hotel, Camborne. Manager of the Year was Nick Hayman of the Central, Newquay.

Other winners were: Brass Monkey, Teignmouth (Community Pub); Earl of St Vincent, Egloshayle (Floral Display); Norway Inn, Perranarworthal (Wine House); Jubilee Inn, Pelynt (Marketing Business, tenancy); Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown (Marketing Business, managed); Holmbush Inn, St Austell (Cask Ale Cellar, managed), Safe Harbour Hotel, Fowey (Cask Ale Cellar, tenanted); Logan Rock Inn at Treen, the Yacht at Penzance and the Kings Arms at Paul (Training Pub); Victorai Inn, Roche (Environmentally Sustainable Business, managed); Golden Lion, Menherion (Environmentally Sustainable Business, tenancy); Fox and Hounds, Comford (Catering Excellence Business of the Year, tenanted); Atlantic Hotel, St Marys (Catering Excellence Business of the Year, managed).