John Smith's GBPA Best Freehouse finalists profiled
The Kenton, Hackney, London
Bought in 2009, this pub has been transformed from a closed property with a bad reputation to a powerhouse of its Hackney community.
Independence and innovation are apparent in the unique decor, a mix of the owner’s bric-a-brac acquisitions and family heirlooms, celebrating a Norwegian cosy style. A converted ‘garden snug’ area with Wes Anderson-style decor has proved popular, as has a loyalty card system. The pub has a strong digital presence, using Facebook in a neighbourhood-orientated way to engage with other local pubs. Kenton has also gone mobile, with pop-up stands at festivals and weddings offering their house beer.
The Bull, Ditchling, East Sussex
This pub has not been complacent about its accolades, and since winning this award in 2016 a huge expansion project has seen the inn, situated within the South Downs National Park, add two dining rooms, a new car park and more bedrooms. Historic 16th century interiors have been preserved amid renovated bar fittings.
An innovative packaging return scheme with suppliers helps save 125 litres of waste a year, and modern noise and odour attenuation systems mean neighbours cannot notice the presence of the pub’s new commercial kitchen.
The Fox at Peasemore, Newbury, Berkshire
Overlooking the Berkshire countryside near the M4 and A34, the pub markets itself as a perfect halfway rendezvous or stopping point for cross-country travel, as well as an experience local customers find worth driving out for. A customer loyalty scheme has yielded an impressive 2,000 members.
The pub is the crowning glory for its owners, who have experience running five pubs over 28 years. Staff of the highest calibre have been attracted by the provision of local rented accommodation
for pub employees.
On quiet Sunday evenings, the pub is packed with villagers taking part in a regular ukulele group, proving the pub has something for everyone.
The Plough Inn, Faversham, Kent
Situated at the top of the North Downs, with views reaching across the Kent coast, this pub prides itself on its local role. Aiming to soon open a village shop in the pub, for now it aims to champion local suppliers.
The product of a nearby brewery, new house ale Top of the Downs celebrates the pub’s picturesque views and 15th century structure.
Commitment to the community is strong at The Plough, with unadvertised products stocked for regulars and their particular cravings, in addition to a word-of-mouth style marketing approach to helping school and village fetes with raffle prizes.
Ye Old Sun Inn, Tadcaster, Yorkshire
The ethos of this Colton-based inn is less about continuity and more about being in tune with the zeitgeist. A £25,000 investment in an outdoor area and pizza cabin has been the pub’s investment of the year, with more seating for punters.
A new pizza element has introduced casual dining at a quicker pace, with an increase on impulse selling and the ability to turn over tables quicker, helping profits. The food aspect of this pub is ever-growing, with cooking demonstrations at regional food festivals and the sale of homemade gin-infused chocolates.
The Roebuck Inn, Laughton, East Sussex
Cosy rustic interiors welcome visitors to this rural pub, with open fires and authentic oak beams acting as reminders of the pub’s past as a 17th century coaching inn.
The pub oozes history, with a unique sprung dance floor in its Baronial Hall, put in place by Canadian pilots during the First World War.
The inn won this prize last year and are keen to prove they are the reigning champions, with a percentage growth of 43% for average customer spend per head in the past year. Following feedback from visitors travelling to Glyndebourne opera house, the pub introduced picnics for guests, in addition to offering breakfasts to all every day.
This year’s awards ceremony takes place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 6 September.
To book your tickets, contact Stevie Robinson on 01293 846508, or email her at fgrivr.ebovafba@jeoz.pbz .
