Camra's 2009 Pub Design Awards open

The Campaign for Real Ale's Pub Design Awards, which reward high standards of design in refurbishing existing pubs and building new ones, open today.

The 2009 Awards will be judged by the regular panel of architects, authors, historians and heritage experts. Pubs across the British Isles can enter the following four categories:

1) New Build Pub

This category is for entirely new built pubs. The pub might reflect the past or it could be completely modern, using materials of the 20th or 21st century.

2) Conversion to Pub Use

This is where an existing building is converted to pub use. Pubs are judged on the taste and restraint used on both the outside and inside of the pub.

3) Refurbished pub

Refurbishment can range from a complete gutting to an enhancement of original features.

4) Camra/English Heritage Conservation award

This award, sponsored by English Heritage, is usually given for work on a pub which preserves the pub for further generations.

Julian Hough, Camra's Pubs Director, said:"Judges are looking for pub entrants that have really shone out and defied gloomy economic forecasts by investing in their pub. A level of restraint, coupled with a consideration for a building's historic features, will also secure praise from the panel from a conservational point of view, while in the new build pubs we are openly seeking entrants showcasing both conventional and ground breaking designs."

The closing date for all entries is Wednesday 30 September 2009. Application forms can be downloaded from www.camra.org.uk/pdaentryform.