Fifteen pubs have been named as finalists in the Community Pub Hero Awards, organised by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) and sponsored by Matthew Clark
The awards attracted a total of 200 entries, including 70 from MPs who nominated pubs in their constituencies.
The finalists all impressed the judges with their outstanding support for their local communities or charities. The competition, now in its fourth year, has been expanded to offer two categories for pubs – Community Support Hero or Charity Fundraising Hero and a new Community Regular Hero where pubs nominated a supportive customer.
The Community Pub Hero Awards are run by PubAid and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and sponsored by Matthew Clark. The finalists will now be judged and the overall winners announced in March at an event in London attended by shortlisted licensees and their MPs.
PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to our finalists, who have earned their place by going the extra mile and demonstrating, once again, that pubs are a force for good in their communities”.
John Steele, Trade Marketing Director, Matthew Clark added: “We were delighted to support this competition again and pleased to see an increase in the number of entries over last year. It is wonderful to hear about the great work done by licensees and their teams and we’re happy to be giving them well-deserved recognition.”
The Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, Chairman of the APPBG, said: “To receive 70 nominations from MPs is an excellent result and shows how pubs are valued as hubs of charity and community support in constituencies across the country. All MPs with shortlisted pubs in their constituency will join me in congratulating them on reaching the finals in a very tough competition.”
This year’s finalists are grouped in three categories
- Community Support Pub Hero
- The Admiral Rodney, Swadlincote, Derbyshire
- The Bellflower, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire
- The Bevy, Brighton
- The Jack & Jill, Coulsdon, Surrey
- The Jolly Coopers, Hampton, Middlesex
- The Two Tubs, Bury, Lancashire
- Charity Fundraising Pub Hero
- The Beeswing, Northallerton, Yorkshire
- The Blue Ball, Worrall, Sheffield
- The Chequers, Swinford, Leicestershire
- The Flying Horse, Ashford, Kent
- The George & Dragon, Ilfracombe, Devon
- The Swan, Thornbury, Bristol
- Community Regular Hero
- The Dog & Parrot, Nottingham
- The Jemmy Hirst, Goole, East Yorkshire
- The Royal Oak, Wolverhampton