Publican Awards winner's story - NWTC - Best Employer and Best Managed

His resolve paid off.

Twelve months later, the operator, which counts the Botanist, the Club House, the Trading House, the Oast House and Smugllers Cove among its venues, returned to scoop two awards.

• Are you the best in the trade? Enter the 2017 Publican Awards at www.publicanawards.co.uk​​​

And this year, the business was back again, shortlisted in five categories and victorious in two - Best Pub Employer (2-50 sites) and Best managed Pub Company (2-50 sites).

"The Publican Awards are our biggest night out," Hill tells The Morning Advertiser​. "It's a brilliant feeling to have won. These awards have a wonderful ability to drive morale, make yourself more attractive as an employer and therefore increase incoming staff qualities and internal staff retention. Our customers appreciate going into places that are award winning, it's part of the story of the quality of our brand, so we have certainly benefited."

NWTC, which plans to open 20 new sites over the next two years, particularly impressed judges with its commitment to internal promotion and comprehensive career development.

Earlier this year, a fun employee engagement initiative - which sees staff across the UK split into six 'tribes' competing against each other for points - was launched.

At the end of the year, members of the overall winning tribe will each be granted an extra two days' paid holiday.

"Those things with the training lead to exceptional offer and customer service within a pub environment that puts us above anyone else and, therefore, drives excellent revenue," Hill insists. Additionally, NWTC has since promoted the wins on much of its marketing materials.

• Think you could be our 2017 winner? Enter at www.publicanawards.co.uk​​​