Once again, throughout 2024, we’re giving everyone who signs up, and follows all their favourite pubs, the chance to win themselves a £50 bar to to spend down their local.

Now you can follow all your favourite pubs, be the first to know what’s happening, share pub maps with your friends…..and then maybe even buy them all a round of drinks, on us. Cheers to that!

Sign up here >>> https://www.useyourlocal.com/join/

Sky Business has donated shirt sponsorship of four players at the PDC World Darts Championship to PubAid, the industry voice for pubs and their positive contribution to society. The donation is a show of support from Sky Business for the hospitality industry, and pubs specifically, at a key time of year for the trade.

Starting on 15 December 2023 and running for three weeks, the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace will have the eyes of the world’s darts fans glued to the iconic tournament.

One of the players sponsored, Fallon Sherrock, was the first woman to triumph of the world’s biggest stage when she beat Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic in the 2019/20 World Championship.

Joining her with shirt sponsorship are Steve Beaton, Ryan Joyce and Luke Woodhouse. These three players will also have the name of each of the three winners of the last PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards in 2022 on their shirt to commemorate individual pubs and publicans as well as the industry body, PubAid, supporting them.

Tracy Harrison, Marketing Director at Sky Business, commented: “We have donated our sponsorship as we want to give something back and raise awareness of all the good that pubs do in uniting people and bringing communities together and there is no better organisation that communicates this than PubAid. Honouring the winners of Community Pub Heroes from last year also shows how important these industry awards are and the positive awareness they can raise.”

Steve Beaton is a former World Number One darts player and will feature The Bellflower in Garstang on his shirt. This pub won the Community Support Hero award for its work helping the local community including free Christmas dinners, sanitary products and school uniforms for local families struggling in the cost of living crisis.

Ryan Royce won his first PDA title in 2020 in Milton Keynes and will feature the Dog and Parrot in Nottingham on his shirt alongside PubAid. This pub won the Community Regular Hero Award for the work one of its regulars, Glyn Hassell, does on behalf of the community raising money for charities of all sizes and local groups.

Luke Woodhouse, also known as Woody, is another favourite of the PDA crowds. The pub featured on his shirt is The Beeswing in Northallerton. This pub won the Charity Fundraising Hero award in 2022 for setting up the Cowtonbury Music Festival, which has been an annual charity event since 2014. The team hope the festival in 2024 will help them achieve a grand total of £200k raised for charity.

Des O’Flanagan, co-founder of PubAid, added: “A lot of pubs will be busier over the festive period, but the hospitality industry does still need everyone’s support. This is such a great way to get the PubAid name out to a world audience. We’re here to tell the good stories and positive news from pubs and how they unite communities, especially through sport. Whether that’s pub sports teams or through getting together to watch the big games and tournaments in a variety of sports. We wish our players the best of luck and will be cheering them on throughout this competition.”

Fallon Sherrock will first play on Sunday 17 December, Evening Session (7pm); Steve Beaton will first play on Tuesday 19 December, Evening session (7pm); Ryan Joyce is on Wednesday 20 December, Evening session (7pm); and Luke Woodhouse will throw his first dart on Thursday 21 December, Afternoon session (12.30pm).

The Pub Aid Community Pub Hero Awards are now open for nominations for the 2024 awards ceremony and close on 19th January. Entries are free and can be completed online at https://www.pubaid.co.uk/what-we-do/community-pub-hero-awards/

Find a pub to play darts here >>> https://www.useyourlocal.com/pubs-with-dart-board/

There was standing room only when Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, officially reopened its historic Rochester pub, The Royal Crown, following a stunning £1.2 million refurbishment last night (Tuesday, December 12).

The Shepherd Neame steam wagon brought some vintage cheer to the streets of Rochester as it chugged its way from the Historic Dockyard, where it is based, to the Grade II Listed pub, heralding a steamy start to proceedings in the afternoon.

The building, overlooking the River Medway and a short walk from Rochester Castle, has undergone an extensive renovation, which has retained and enhanced its historic features while introducing a stylish and contemporary look and feel. 

Many local groups and dignitaries were invited to take part in the celebrations, held less than two weeks before Christmas, while two local good causes were also presented with donations.

The Dean of Rochester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, pulled the first pint, to cheers all round, before blessing it and the pub with a specially-written blessing. The Dean also blessed a hop garland, provided by William and Caroline Alexander of Castle Farm in Shoreham.

Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame presented representatives from the Medway Queen Preservation Society and the Rochester City Centre Forum, which raised funds for the town’s Christmas lights, with donations of £1,000 each, to a hearty round of applause.

Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We are delighted to officially celebrate the reopening of The Royal Crown, after what is undoubtedly a remarkable refurbishment. 

“Our team have worked incredibly hard to bring this project to fruition, revitalising a building steeped in history, which is now serving today’s customers with a warm welcome, in a stunning setting.

“I am certain that The Royal Crown, led by General Manager Tom Crackett, will continue to go from strength to strength.”

The Dean of Rochester, Dr Hesketh, said: “I was delighted to bless the first pint in the beautifully renovated Royal Crown – just a stone’s throw from Rochester Cathedral. It was also heartwarming to see Shepherd Neame giving back to the community with its two generous donations to local groups.”

The pub’s transformation has received positive feedback from many, including Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst, who said: “I have used The Royal Crown all my adult life and have many fond memories of the pub. I, of course welcome the investment by a local company, Shepherd Neame that has provided The Royal Crown with a new lease of life.  Just in time to enjoy plenty of Christmas cheer!”

The refurbishment of The Royal Crown has included the creation of a new entrance lobby, a new feature gas fire in the main bar area, all new furniture and décor with original wood floors and dado panelling retained. 

The first floor has also been remodelled to create a spacious new feel, and there is now a new private dining area overlooking the river, named the King’s View.

It also offers seven TV screens showing Sky Sports and TNT Sports, and there are further screens in the ground floor bar and restaurant. 

There was also a chance for guests to sample the delicious new menu of light bites and traditional pub classics with a contemporary twist and the extensive selection of award-winning craft ales and lagers, which include exclusively at The Royal Crown, two of Shepherd Neame’s Classic Collection draught keg beers – Double Stout and Bishop’s Finger.

If you’re heading to the pub to see in the festive season, Guinness is partnering with THINK! and Greene King to help you look out for your mates. The best nights out are the ones where no one misses out, so if you or your mates are getting behind the wheel, then you can join in with a pint of Guinness 0.0%! A mate doesn’t let a mate drink drive.

To redeem the offer and claim your FREE Guinness 0.0, simply…

Find your local pub using the pub finder here >> https://uylo.co/FREEGuinness and show the bartender your car keys and the Digital Voucher (Terms and Conditions apply).

Enjoy!

Young’s pub group has successfully acquired the Ship Inn in Noss Mayo, situated in southwest Devon. Despite speculations about Gordon Ramsay expressing interest in obtaining the freehold site, Young’s secured the purchase.

The waterside pub, positioned along the tidal Yealm Estuary, was listed by Colliers in August with offers expected around £3.7m. Rumors circulated about Ramsay contemplating a bid, fueled by sightings of him inspecting the venue.

The establishment comprises a 160-cover ground floor pub and dining room, a private pier, a garden, and a waterfront terrace accommodating 200 covers. Additionally, there is a 20-cover private dining room.

Operated by the Bullock family for the past 16 years, Young’s is dedicated to preserving the pub’s values and original features. Simon Dodd, Young’s CEO, expressed delight in gaining the Bullock family’s trust, emphasizing the Ship Inn’s unique location and stellar reputation as a perfect fit for Young’s strategy to celebrate authentic British pubs.

Ed Jefferson from Colliers Hotels Agency, who assisted in the transaction, conveyed satisfaction in achieving the desired outcome for Lisa and Charles Bullock. He praised the Ship Inn’s excellent location and strong brand, cultivated under the Bullocks’ stewardship and supported by the local community, aligning seamlessly with Young’s ethos.

The Ship Inn will become Young’s fifth establishment in Devon, joining sister pubs Boathouse and the Seagate in North Devon, the Grove in Exmouth, and the City Gate and Double Locks in Exeter.