GBPA 2024: Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year – the Royal Oak, Brandon, Warwickshire

Licensee Khara Schrijvers was forced to close the pub at end of 2023 after a spate of floodings. While this hit New Year bookings and devastatingly closed the pub for four months it also marked a new era.

Support from pub company Admiral and a raft of flood defences meant the pub reopened in April 2024 after an investment. 

Customers can now enjoy this lovely country eatery which offers a unique dining and drinking experience. The Royal Oak has a beautiful front terrace as well as a bar featuring a wide selection of lagers, traditional hand-pulled real cask ales, wines, spirits and soft drinks. 

Full food offer​

But where the pub really distinguishes itself from others in the area is its focus on offering delicious food at an affordable price that appeals to a wide range of customers in the local community.

It reopened with a new breakfast menu, meaning the pub opens at 8am daily, with dishes such as full English breakfast to overnight oats to The Builders Batch. It has been a roaring success.

Local community​

Its restaurant also serves a two-for-one menu that is available Monday to Saturday lunchtimes, as well as evening food offers including curry and a drink, burger and a pint Tuesday’s and Thursday pie night. 

Despite the challenges faced by Schrijvers and her team she has more plans for the future of the pub and is continually moving the business forward.

This is a pub that focuses on delivering for its local community, with a determined licensee at the helm and deserves to be the worthy winner of Admiral Pub of the Year.