With two big prizes up for grabs this year, entry numbers have been high and are still coming in, with the deadline now being 14 March.
Courtesy of sponsors Sky, the ultimate winner will receive a year’s free Sky Sports subscription for their venue and will also be jetting off to Amsterdam for a study trip as guests of Heineken.
The competition is open to anyone holding a personal licence who has been operating a licensed hospitality business for at least two years.
A rigorous four month judging process culminates in the announcement of the winner at the prestigious BII Summer Event on 5 June 2018.
Gold standard
BII CEO Mike Clist said: “The BII Licensee of the Year Award has been going for more than 30 years now and is the award to win if you are a licensee operating in today’s market.
"This competition searches for the gold standard in our industry – a licensee who excels in all aspects of running their business– they really must be the full package.
"Many of our previous winners are well known and hugely successful figures in the sector today, and I can't wait to meet the 2018 finalists - the field just gets stronger every year!"
Overwhelmed
Last year's winner was Mark Higgs of the Castle at Edgehill, in Banbury, Warwickshire.
The judges commended Higgs for how he made every part of the site work, with great food offered inside and outside of the pub.
Higgs took on the tenancy with Hook Norton Brewery in 2013 and has described the Castle as a “destination venue” rather than “just a pub”.
At the time, Higgs said: "I'm overwhelmed for myself and the team. It's been a big year. I never thought I would win."
- To nominate yourself or someone else for Licensee of the Year 2018, visit www.bii.org or call the LOYA Team on 01276 684449.