The BII-run competition, which recognises publicans who display exceptional business acumen, operational skills, innovation and outstanding customer service, will announce a winner on 2 June.
Tim Hore, who runs The Victoria Inn in Salcombe, Devon with his wife Liz, is one of six finalists to reach the concluding round, a feat he has achieved for the second consecutive year.
“We’re very pleased,” he said. “Hard work is getting us where we want to go. Our staff are very happy as it reflects [well] on them. We’ve had a lot of feedback especially on social media, retweets and quite a few good luck messages from customers and suppliers. It would be the pinnacle of our success if we won but just getting through to the final is an accolade in itself. We know we’re up against other serious competition.”
'Honoured'
Another finalist Sandy Castle, licensee of The Fatling, a TCG managed house in Hornchurch Essex told the PMA she had always considered herself a woman in a man’s world trying to get her ‘head and shoulders above everyone else’.
Reflecting on her achievement, she said: “I feel really honoured and slightly embarrassed by it all. I’m from the shop floor, I feel slightly overwhelmed. I wonder if I’m a bit out of my depth although I have got 25 years’ experience. I’m very much a hands-on landlady.”
The busy pub serves food, hosts live bands three nights a week, has three football teams and last year raised £10,000 for Cancer Research.
'Confidence'
Tim Tomlinson, leaseholder of Spirit-operated Merchants 1688, in Castle Hill, Lancaster expressed ‘pleasant surprise’ at reaching the final stage of the competition.
“It’s a high profile award so to get through to the final is great,” he declared. “It gives you a lot of confidence in what you’re doing.”
Over the past 24 months, Tomlinson, who has leased the 300-year-old premises for seven years, has invested between £20,000 and £30,000 in the redecoration and refurnishing of the listed building. He has also hired a new chef.
“Originally the pub was a student-type place,” he explained. “We’ve moved it more upmarket. The food is restaurant-style standard and we push on the cask ales - we’ve got eight. Trading wise we’ve taken it from around £250-300,000 a year to £800,000.”
Finalists
The other finalists are husband and wife duo Keith and Diane Marsden of The Prince of Wales in Mosely, Birmingham, John Horton, licensee of Abbey House Hotel & Gardens, Barrow-in-Furness and Mike Wheeler of Penwig, New Quay in Ceredigion, Wales.
John Sharratt, chairman of the judging panel said: “The finalists are being judged on their ability to lead, inspire and develop the team they employ as well as themselves; so the people and training panel will be an important one.”
The winner will be announced at the BII’s Summer Event in London on 2 June.