PUBLICAN AWARDS 2023
Meet the finalists: Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees)
The award will be presented to the business that provides an excellent working environment, comprehensive training, strong staff motivation and benefits alongside a meaningful career path and development structure for employees.
Barons Pub Company
Since opening its first site in 2000, Barons has grown and now has a portfolio of more than 10 sites across Surrey and Berkshire.
The company, also last year’s winner in this category, has its own training academy that is open to everyone within the business, from the pot washers up to the top management team.
Barons exudes passion for people and extends valuable education for team members, not just regarding hospitality associated skills but more broadly, meaning its staff are provided with transferable skills to help both their personal and professional development.
The company hosts an annual awards ceremony to praise its people as well as providing prizes for employee of the month as well as grocery vouchers and other incentives.
Barons focus on looking after staff at all levels has been rewarded with a strong take-up and excellent loyalty throughout the teams.
Chestnut Group
East-Anglian based pub group Chestnut prides itself on its family values and ensuring its people share that same pride in working for the business.
The company, which won in the best brand/concept category at last year’s Publican Awards, also recently re-launched its training program, Chestnut Academy, focused on up-skilling its teams, developing future leaders and attracting new team members.
Last year, Chestnut also hosted a festival, Chestnut Live, which saw it close all sites in its 16-strong estate to host a day of live music and frivolity as a thank you for its team member’s hard work.
The group was also a finalist in this category last year, having put people firmly at the centre of its operations following rapid expansion and focused on fostering its culture and retention during the pandemic.
Beds and Bars
Beds and Bars has received the platinum award from Investors in People multiple times and has introduced some exciting initiatives for its team members over the past year.
As well as developing its Footsteps program, introduced by the late Franca Knowles, the company has also invested in and developed new pathways for progression with a big focus on wellbeing and work life balance.
In addition, the employee benefits and recognition on offer also showcased the brand’s attractiveness as an employer, including learning and development trips and cash rewards.
Beds & Bars also saw apprentices represent the business at the House of Commons in Westminster at the seventh Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase last month.
The company is also a previous winner of the Employee Wellbeing award at the National Innovation Training Awards (NITAs).
Brewhouse and Kitchen
Founded in 2013, Brewhouse & Kitchen operates a 22-strong nationwide estate of brewpubs, each boasting its own microbrewery on site.
The company, also 2021’s winner in this category, has developed its apprenticeships offer over the past year with a variety of programmes on offer alongside a diverse and flexible learning and development approach business wide.
Brewhouse & Kitchen also showed exceptional focus with regards to inclusivity as well as its people physical and mental well-being.
The company’s approach to communication was also impressive with career pathways and benefits, such as flexible working hours and on-shift meals as well as shopping vouchers, clear and accessible at each level of the business.
Additionally, staff across the business are also celebrated with B&K’s annual awards ceremony, the ‘Brew Ball’.
