And The Publican Awards 2009 winners are...

The best in the business have been rewarded for their achievements at industry 'Oscars' The Publican Awards.

Top performing licensees and pub companies picked up their trophies in front of more than 1,500 guests at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House in Central London, hosted by legendary entertainer Des O'Connor.

Winners of the 20 awards included Philip Davison, licensee of the Sun in the Wood, Newbury, Berkshire, who picked up the prestigious title of BII Licensee of the Year.

It was also a night to remember for the Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield, Bucks, which won both Freehouse of the Year and Pub of the Year.

Meanwhile, Charles Wells won Pub Company of the Year tenanted/leased (200+ outlets) and St Austell scooped Regional Brewer of the Year.

Speaking at the event Publican​ editor Caroline Nodder said: "We are determined to keep pushing this positive message out there. It is all too easy to become despondent when all you hear is bad news.

"But I am here to tell you that reports of the death of the British pub have been greatly exaggerated! Pubs are alive and kicking.

"And to those who don't believe me I say get out there and visit some of our Publican Awards finalists for yourself".

The Winners are:

Newcomer of the Year - Sponsored by Magners Pear Cider​WINNER: Stephanie Todd, Atlantic Inn, Scilly Isles ​

Pub Design of the Year - Sponsored by Budweiser Budvar UK​WINNER: The Akeman, Tring, Hertfordshire ​

Customer Service Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Call System Technology​WINNER: The Mark Cross Inn, Crowborough, Sussex ​

Music Pub of the Year - Sponsored by PRS for Music​WINNER: The Inn at Lathones, Lathones, Fife ​

Bar Person of the Year - Sponsored by Ocean Spray​WINNER: Marta Sidorska, Modo, Liverpool ​

Food Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Brakes​WINNER: The Mill Race, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire ​

Community Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Booker​WINNER: The Nightingale, Balham, South London​

Managed Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Bar Zone​WINNER: The Fir Tree, Stockport ​

Tenanted Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Enjoy England​WINNER: The White Horse, Bedford, Bedfordshire ​

Freehouse of the Year - Sponsored by Christie + Co​WINNER: The Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire ​

Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Proud of Pubs​WINNER: The Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire​Multiple Operator of the Year - 2-19 Outlets - Sponsored by Bulmers​WINNER: Peach Pub Company, Deddington, Oxfordshire​

Retail Concept of the Year - Sponsored by WKD​WINNER: Tiger Tiger by Novus Leisure​

Pub Company of the Year - Managed 20-99 outlets - Sponsored by Walkers​WINNER: Geronimo Inns, Wandsworth, London​

Pub Company of the Year - Managed 100+ outlets - Sponsored by CPL Training​WINNER: Young & Co, Wandsworth, London​

Pub Company of the Year - Tenanted / Leased 20-199 outlets - Sponsored by Squeeze​WINNER: George Bateman & Son, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire ​Pub Company of the Year - Tenanted / Leased 200+ outlets - Sponsored by Mediatheme​WINNER: Charles Wells Pub Company, Bedford, Bedfordshire​Regional Brewer of the Year - Sponsored by Trade Team​WINNER: St Austell Brewery, St Austell, Cornwall ​

Corporate Social Responsibility - Sponsored by Calor​WINNER: Adnams, Southwold, Suffolk​

BII Licensee of the Year - Sponsored by Matthew Clark​WINNER: Philip Davison FBII, The Sun in the Wood, Ashmore Green, Berkshire​

See the photos from the night below. Want your photos from the night on the slideshow? Email your best ones to to rolande@thepublican.com​.

See tweets from The Publican Awards here​.

Check back on thepublican.com for videos, a photo gallery and the Winners' brochure.