Pubcos pick up top honours at MCA event

Bavarian-inspired beer palace Albert’s Schloss​ scooped a second consecutive win for Best Concept.

The Manchester-founded Mission Mars-owned bar brand was one of several on-trade businesses celebrating after a glittering ceremony at The Guildhall.

Best New Opening went to The Devonshire​, operated by Oisin Rogers and Charlie Carroll, which combines a great location with outstanding design and exceptional customer appeal.

Overdue win​

Loungers​ continued its unstoppable march across the UK with a well-deserved and long overdue win for Best Pub/Bar Company.

In a special judged category, supported by Net Zero Now and the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Greene King​ was recognised for its impressive cultural transformation journey with the Sustainability Award. The pub company has launched a ground-breaking carbon reduction trial and committed to investing tens of millions of pounds in environmental initiatives. 

For Deal of the Year, there were several big transactions to choose from, but Young’s acquisition of City Pub Group​ was an encouraging success story for the pub sector, which gives the buyer further national reach, and marks a third big career exit for Clive Watson.

Emerging Concept went to F1 Arcade​, the experimental racing simulation concept founded by entrepreneur Adam Breeden, who has plans to grow the business to 30 sites worldwide.

Vibrant and dynamic​

MCA editor Finn Scott-Delany said: “It was an enormous honour and pleasure to be able to host and celebrate with the very best businesses, brands, leaders and teams from the hospitality sector last night.

“After 25 years it remains the essential leaders’ event in the industry calendar, which our highly impressive guestlist of VIPs and sector stars is a testament to.

“The past few years have not been easy by any stretch of the imagination. But these awards prove once again that despite the challenges, the sector remains as vibrant and dynamic as ever.”