Enterprise Inns has launched its Community Heroes awards, which it claims will see a record number of publicans receiving cash prizes to spend on local communities.
The event, now in its fourth year, rewards publicans for engaging with local people and provides further funding for community initiatives.
Enterprise sales and marketing director James Armitage said: “Due to the overwhelming response we had last year when entries increased by 66% compared to 2013, we wanted to recognise, reward and support even more publicans and their communities.
“Initiatives don’t have to be big, they just have to be positive and with more prize money on offer for community projects, we are confident entry levels for the Community Hero awards 2015 will reach a new all-time high.”
Publicans from Enterprise’s 18 divisions will be judged in an initial round, with a £3,000 first prize up for grabs. All first place divisional winners will then go on to a second round, judged by a group of judges drawn from across the industry. The outright winner will go on to receive another £3,000, with the runner up receiving £2,000.
Last year’s winner Adrian Emmett from the Lion in Treorchy, Wales, impressed judges by organising an annual music festival attended by over 2,000 people. The money raised was put towards buying iPads for a local school.
Emmett now plans to use his winnings to buy equipment for after-school youth activities, refurbishing a Welsh speaking nursery that burnt down, and upgrading a meeting room so it can be used by local groups.
Other recent Community Hero initiatives have included running mini bus shuttle services for the elderly and distributing food at Christmas.
Publicans can enter this year’s competition until 14 August.