The Sheffield licensee beat off stiff competition from more than 360 operators to win the top accolade at a ceremony held at the Great Northern Hotel in Mickleover, Derbyshire. He was recognised for transforming a challenging pub into a flagship real ale and cider destination with its own microbrewery.
Meanwhile, Danny Grayson from Champs Sports Bar & Grill in Sheffield received the Mystery Shopper Award for delivering “outstandingly high customer service standards”, receiving 100% scores over nine visits.
Finalists were nominated by Punch‘s partnership development managers and regional operations director Steve Burns selected 20 winners, who were presented with a certificate and trophy.
Burns said: “We believe in a genuine partnership approach to business and work with some extremely talented operators. It’s great to have an opportunity to recognise this talent and showcase the fantastic calibre of partners that run our pubs.
“The Closed Shop is worthy of the overall title, having brought the pub back to its former glory just two years after a £250,000 joint investment. The passion of Andrew and his team in delivering first class food, drink and entertainment with a smile is a winning formula.”
The full list of winners
Area winners
- Dave & Madeleine Smith – White Lion Hotel. Grantham
- Craig Powell & Robyn Pogson - Airedale Heifer, Mirfield
- Agnieszka Poweska-Palarz and Michal Palarz – Burtonstone, York
- Claire Beecroft – The Cock, Sheffield
- Ian Martin – The Plough, Nottingham
- Matthew Feeney & Stuart Danby – The Maltshovel, Derby
- Tim Turner – The Greyhound, Belper
- Andrew Stephens – Closed Shop, Sheffield
Special recognition
- Theresa Gallacher - Rose & Crown, Newark
- Alan Ingle - Pear Tree, Mirfield
- Geoff & Paula McGarry - Rose & Crown, York
- Rita Cox – White Hart, Doncaster
- Phil & Kate Jones – The Britannia, Leicester
- Steve Kirk – Ye Olde Neptune, Derby
- Pauline Bosswell – Royal Hotel, Sheffield
- Gary Fantom – Rutland, Dronfield
- Iris Wibberley & Steve Cox – Great Northern Hotel, Derby
New Business Winners
- North: Graham Usher & Martin Firth – Drovers Arms, Selby
- South: Helen Mason – Three Cottages, Chesterfield
Mystery Shopper Award
- Danny Grayson – Champs Sports Bar & Grill, Sheffield