The corona crisis hit the pub trade first and hardest, but despite that, pubs across the UK refused to lie down and continued to find ways to help support their communities.
The Great British Pub Awards Pub Heroes 2020 aims to recognise and reward those operators that really went above and beyond, despite the pressures and challenges they were facing in their own businesses.
Ed Bedington, editor of The MA, which organises the awards, said: “We have always talked about the important role that pubs play in the community, how they are often the beating heart, or the hubs of the areas they’re in.
“This crisis has really thrown a spotlight on that, with pubs doing some amazing things, despite the challenge that the lockdown posed for them.
“To recognise and reward that, we’ve adapted our normal Great British Pub Awards to celebrate the Pub Heroes of 2020, to help spread the word and shout about the great things British pubs did during the global pandemic.
“We’ve been inundated with entries across a wide range of categories with some amazing stories coming to light. Sadly we can only shortlist a few but I’d like to pay tribute to all the pubs entering, you’ve all done an amazing job in very difficult circumstances and should be proud of your achievements.”
Judges have now shortlisted pubs across all fifteen categories and it’s now open for the public vote which closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 26 August.
To see each category’s finalists, click the links below to read their stories and pick your winners:
Keeping the Community Entertained
Ei Publican Partnerships Pub Hero of the Year
Greene King Pub Hero of the Year
Star Pubs & Bars Pub Hero of the Year
The awards wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors who are: Booker, Cocal Cola European Partners, Sky, Heineken UK, Diageo, Ei Publican Partnerships, Admiral, Star Pubs & Bars, Punch and Greene King.