Cash prize and new category for GBPA

Sponsoring the category, CCEP will be awarding a £1,000 prize for a charitable purpose to each of the finalists in the category, with the winner taking home a cheque for £5,000.

Previous winners have used the money to support local causes, purchase defibrillators and host community events.

Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser​, which organises the awards, said: “This wonderfully generous offer from CCEP has seen a number of organisations benefit hugely from the donations.

“Community pubs are all about being at the very heart of the areas and people they serve, and the ability to help fund activities to support those communities further is amazing and well worth entering the awards to be in with a chance to win.”

Also new to the Great British Pub Award this year is the Best Beer Pub of the Year category, which is being sponsored by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA).

The category is open to all pubs with a focus on having an exceptional beer offer and will recognise those delivery value and high standards across their range.

SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said: “SIBA is proud to be supporting the Great British Pub Awards in seeking to highlight the UK's best beer pubs. Quality beer goes hand in hand with a superb pub – and with the vast majority of the beer produced by independent breweries being sold to pubs in their local area, the Great British Pub is absolutely vital to our member brewers in the independent brewing sector.

“Judges will not only be looking for a great range of beers on offer, but also impeccable cellar skills, great customer service and staff with a real passion and knowledge for the beer they serve. I look forward to seeing who is in the running for this year's inaugural award!"

Entry to the awards is open now and will recognise excellence across a number of categories:

• Best Pub for Dogs
• Best Pub for Entertainment
• Best Pub for Families
• Best Pub for Food
• Best Pub Garden
• Best Pub to Watch Sport
• Best Sustainable Pub
• Community Pub of the Year
• Best Country Pub 
• Best Town Pub 
• NEW Best Beer Pub 

Judges will also be assessing:

• Punch & Pubs Pub of the Year
• Marston’s Pub of the Year
• Greene King Pub of the Year
• Admiral Tavern’s Pub of the Year
• Stonegate Pub of the Year

You can enter here​ now to be in with a chance of being named the Great British Pub of the Year.