The finalists are:
Admiral Taverns
Headquartered in Chester, Admiral Taverns operates more than 1,300 pubs across the UK in both traditional T&L models, but also operator managed businesses as well under the Proper Pubs sub-brand.
Following the acquisition of Hawthorn back in 2021, Admiral has combined the two businesses and continues to invest and grow its estate of largely community, wet-led operations and has significantly increased its levels of cap ex investment into the business, with some significant pub transformations completed, and more underway.
This is a company that is proud to stake its place in the community pub category and is helping to transform a sector that is often overlooked.
Punch Pubs & Co
A previous winner of this category in both 2020 and 2022, Punch will be hoping to make it third time even more lucky in this year’s competition.
Under the leadership of CEO Clive Chesser, this is a business that is forging its own path and putting relationships with its operators at the heart of everything it does. Strong support on energy buying has seen many operators embrace the chance for stability at a time when it was desperately needed, and that combined with a number of measures to drive innovation and best practice throughout the business has helped to strengthen connections within the estate. Ambitious and energetic, Punch is hoping to be a force to be reckoned with.
Marston’s
Wolverhampton-based Marston’s has undergone considerable restructuring in recent years to create a focused and dedicated pub business that is driving real change and innovation within its business.
With a focus on agreements that put partnership at the very heart of its operation from the top down, this is a business that is not afraid to try new ideas and developments.
Significant investment into creating a head office that can provide first rate facilities for both staff and partners when it comes to training and onboarding is just one of the more visible changes that this company has brought about in a short space of time.
