GBPA finalist wins Britain’s Best Beer Garden 2016

Pub business insurance specialist SME Insurance Services (SMEi) launched the awards this year to the showcase the variety of pub gardens the nation has​.

The Boscombe-based pub​ took to Facebook to voice its delight at the success and said: “It’s official! We are delighted to have won Britain’s Best Beer Garden 2016! Thank you to everyone that voted for us and thank you to SME Insurance.”

Heart of the pub

Pubgoers agreed with the insurance specialist’s winning choice of the Dorset pub and one user said: “We’re glad you now have a certificate to prove what we all already knew! Nice one everyone!”

Owner Harry Seccombe told the Bournemouth Echo​: “Our beer garden is the heart of our pub. We have worked really hard over the past 10 years to create something unique but also somewhere people want to come and spend their afternoons and evenings.

“The garden is really well-loved in the community and a unique part of the Boscombe community. It’s fantastic and we are really proud.”

Chaplin’s won £500 worth of vouchers to treat its staff along with a photoshoot of the glorious garden and a commemorative plaque, to market its success, which was down to the 628 votes received.

Unique and inviting

The judging panel consist of SMEi, The British Beer & Pub Association, The Morning Advertiser​ and website Two Thirsty Gardeners.

Commercial director of SMEi Jonathan Webber said of the launch of the award: “We know the effort landlords and staff put into making these gardens special.

“We provide insurance cover to some fantastic pubs and wine bars with lots of them attracting many of their customers purely because of their unique and inviting beer gardens.”