With the first stage of judging complete, the shortlisted companies will now face a gruelling process of further scrutinization as they compete to be named winner in the UK pub sector's most prestigious awards.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, said: “Congratulations to all the companies that have made it through to the next stages of the Publican Awards - now the real work begins!
“And commiserations to those companies that haven’t got through, this competition is one of the toughest in many sectors and as such, not everyone can make the final cut, although in many cases it was a close-run thing.
“I’m now looking forward to getting out on the road with our team of judges, and visiting the operations to see what makes them tick.”
Once the judges road trips are complete, the final stage of the awards process will see the finalists stepping before various panels of industry experts for the final judging day.
Bedington added: “Best of luck to all our finalists in the months ahead, and I look forward to seeing who edges ahead of the pack and takes the title on the night.”
The winners will be revealed on 13 March at a huge celebration at Battersea Evolution. To book your tickets to the event, contact Stevie Robinson on 01293 846508, or email her at stevie.robinson@wrbm.com
The finalists for 2018 are:
Best Accommodation Operator
Anglian Country Inns
Cirrus Inns
Fuller, Smith & Turner
Bel & The Dragon
Best Brewing Pub Company
Pivovar
Lincoln Green Brewing Company
North Bar Brewing Company
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Best Community Pub Operator
The Craft Union Pub Company
Bel & The Dragon
Cornerstone Inns
Best Late Night Operator
Stonegate Pub Company
Tokyo Industries
The Deltic Group
Best Tenanted & Leased (Up to 500 sites)
Palmers Brewery
St Austell Brewery
Thwaites
Hawthorn Leisure
Best Tenanted & Leased (501+ sites)
Greene King Pub Partners
Star Pubs & Bars
Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites)
The New World Trading Company
Hydes Brewery
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Oakman Inns & Restaurants
Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites)
Laine Pub Company
Fuller, Smith & Turner
Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees)
Be At One
Red Mist Leisure
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Bel & The Dragon
Cornerstone Inns
Best Pub Employer (501+ employees)
The New World Trading Company
Oakman Inns & Restaurants
Harvester Restaurants
Best Pub Operations Team
The New World Trading Company
The Deltic Group
Best Value Food Offer
Toby Carvery
Farmhouse Inns
Best Food Offer
Oakman Inns & Restaurants
Cirrus Inns
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars
Seafood Pub Company
Best Premium Food Offer
Red Mist Leisure
Bel & The Dragon
Tom Kerridge Group
Best Pub Brand/Concept
The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant
Be At One
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Best New Pub/Bar
The Alchemist - Media City, Manchester
Canova Hall - Brixton, London
Central Oven & Shaker - Newcastle
Impossible - Manchester
The Half Moon - Herne Hill, London
The Roebuck Inn - Mobberly, Cheshire
Best Drinks Offer
Brewhouse & Kitchen
The New World Trading Company
The Alchemist Bar & Restaurant
Be At one
North Bar