After being whittled down from more than 200 entrants, the finalists were chosen based on their community impact, exceptional mystery diner visits, financial and web presence audits alongside face-to-face interviews in their pubs with judges hospitality trainer and consultant Sue Allen and trade consultant Paul Pavli.
The competition, which was launched in June, encouraged those in the trade to enter on the basis of their involvement in their communities over the past 18 months, as well as in recognition of their resilience and diversification.
Final six
Sponsored by Sky, the Licensee of the Year competition is regarded as the most rigorous and hard-fought award for individual licensees in the UK.
All six finalists will be presented with a trophy at the BII Winter Event on Tuesday 23 November, where the overall Licensee of the Year 2021 will be announced.
This year’s finalists are:
- Ellie and Matt Furzeman – the White Lion, Wigan
- Jason and Chris Black – the Pityme Inn, Wadebridge, Cornwall
- Mick and Sarah Dore – the Alexandra, Wimbledon, south west London
- Colum and Annemarie McCarthy – the Greyhound Hotel, Carshalton, Surrey
- Tom and James Bainbridge – the White Hart, Welwyn, Hertfordshire
- Stephen and Rebecca Prince – the Grey Mare, Belthorn, Lancashire
Incredible standard
BII chief executive Steven Alton said: “Our Licensee of the Year Award is the most prestigious and hard-fought award, showing the excellence in our sector.
“The final six are of an incredible standard. We are proud the awards process this year, more than ever, is offering a value added experience to all those involved with business insight and the chance to evaluate your business available at every stage, from mystery diner visits and feedback, right through to our final judging day at Sky HQ.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all involved and wish them the best of luck for the final stages of the competition.”
The BII also thanked everyone who entered the competition this year.
