The John Smith’s Great British Pub Awards are back and entries are now open to those who think they have what it takes to be crowned the best pubs and bars in the UK.
The awards are organised by The Morning Advertiser and supported by a number of big name sponsors including Sky, Diageo GB, and Booker Wholesale. There is a choice of 17 categories to enter, ranging from Best Freehouse to Best Live Entertainment Pub. There is also the brand new category of Best LGBTQ+ Bar/Pub.
Entries can be made online, closing on the 18th May. From there, expert judges will create a longlist, then shortlist of pubs and bars, before selecting a winner in each category. Each of these winners then has a chance to go onto be named the John Smith’s Great British Pub of the Year.
Speaking about the impact the awards can have on a business, Glen Duckett, licensee of last year’s Great British Pub of the Year winner, told The Morning Advertiser:
“One of the most important things about winning was for staff morale – it gets all of the staff feeling really good, which is dead important. It’s also really good national exposure, which in turn boosts footfall.”
If you think your local has the makings of a champion you can get some tips from Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, on how to write a winning entry. You can also check out last year’s winners to see what is required to scoop a top prize.
So, what are you waiting for? Submit your entry now!
The categories include:
- Best Beer Bar/Pub
- Best Cider Bar/Pub
- Best Community Pub
- Best Family Pub
- Best Food Pub
- Best Freehouse
- Best Inn
- Best Live Entertainment Pub
- Best Managed Pub
- Best Newcomer
- Best Partnership Pub
- Best Pub Garden
- Best Spirits Bar/Pub
- Best Sports Pub
- Best LGBTQ+ Bar/Pub
- Best Turnaround Pub
- Best Wine Bar/Pub
And to really get you in the spirit, take a look at all the action from last year’s awards ceremony:
This time it could be you standing up there.
Good luck!