The awards, now entering their 18th year, celebrate everything that is great about the great British pub, and the organisers are urging all pub operators to get involved.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, said: “This competition is the one to win for any licensee running a pub – it can put your business on the map and give you great rewards.
“We’ve seen some great success stories over the past 18 years in this competition, and we’re looking forward to revealing some more this year. But you’ve got to be in it to win it, so get entering now.”
Something to shout about
Paul Eastwood, general manager of the Famous Three Kings in Fulham, west London, knows what success can bring. His pub has won Sports Pub of the Year two years on the run, and said it’s provided significant boosts.
He explained: “Winning Sports Pub of the Year has been great for the site. Benefits included pride for staff and management to work here and a really good selling point when looking to recruit – that’s given us great prestige and helps when advertising both internally and externally.”
He said the win had given the business a real boost both in trade but also in media coverage, both within the UK but also overseas, and helped give it a real point of different against competitors in a very challenging market.
He said: “Customers spread the word and are proud to drink here. I know people recommend us by word of mouth, especially since winning the awards.
“All of that has helped us boost trade and attract the right type of staff and customers. We can obviously charge premium prices and attract the right clientele due to our reputation as the place to be for live sport.
“I would recommend people to enter and try and win because it really is something that you can shout about and use to attract new business to your venue. Even if you don’t win, just being a nominee was something we took pride in and advertised. Just getting through some of the early rounds is an achievement in itself.
“My tips to other operators would be to find what makes your pub special and really shout about it and develop it as much as possible. To win the awards takes planning, it won’t just happen without making a real focused effort to win.
“Put yourself above everyone else by doing something that no one else does. Just showing sport is not enough, every year look to introduce something different that keeps you one step ahead and makes you unique because there are a lot of great venues, operators and managers out there looking to catch up or stay ahead.”
The deadline for entry to the awards is 18 May, and you can enter online here: www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk.