The Morning Advertiser caught up with some of the nominees as they prepared to navigate the final stage of the awards’ thorough judging process.
The Alchemist’s Jenny McPhee commented: “You can tell how much effort goes into the judging process and that it really is a serious, serious affair.
She added: “This is obviously the third stage of judging now and I feel that makes it all the more worthwhile to win an award because you know that it’s not just ‘name out of a hat’.”
Daniel Thwaites’ Andrew Buchanan commented: “I think the pub industry needs a highly credible awards process.
“We are such a large, such a diverse sector, we contribute so much to the economy, we employ so many young people – we employ so many people overall – we raise so much cash for the exchequer, that’s its right that we celebrate everything that’s good and great about what we do.”
Damon Horrill of Cornerstone Inns summarised: “They say it’s the Oscars for the industry and it’s completely true.
“If there’s one to win, it’s this one.”
The 2018 Publican Awards will be hosted by gold standard comedian, presenter of ‘Would I lie to you’ and co-star of ‘The Trip’, Rob Brydon at Battersea Evolution on 13 March.
Ticket holders will partake of Champagne on arrival, a three-course dinner and an after-party following the awards ceremony.
To book your tickets to the event, please contact Stevie Robinson on 01293 846508, or email stevie.robinson@wrbm.com