Ship and Trades named Shepherd Neame Pub of the Year

Judges commended the pub for its great management and strong business performance, achieved by “a dedicated team and talented head chef”.  The pub won Managed Business of the Year in last year’s competition.

Dean Markham, manager of the Ship and Trades, said: “This is fantastic. We’ve got an exceptional team at the pub, from fantastic kitchen staff through to front of house. We offer the best customer service in the area on a great site.”

There were 13 categories for the awards, including serving great food, pulling the perfect pint and being at the heart of the local community.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to “Dixie” Dean, a former professional boxer, who became licensee of the Prince Arthur in Shoreditch, London, in 1979. He refurbished the pub and transformed it into a “thriving local”, said Shepherd Neame.

Awards were presented by chief executive Jonathan Neame at a dinner held at the Conningbrook Hotel, Ashford.

He said: “These awards celebrate the highest standards of retailing and outstanding offers. We congratulate all our winners and commend them for doing such a fine job.”
 
The winners:
Shepherd Neame Pub of the Year – Ship and Trades, Chatham Maritime – Dean Markham
Managed Business of the Year – The Crown, Blackheath – Keith Hedley
Tenanted Pub of the Year – Albion Taverna, Faversham and Ye Olde Beverlie, Canterbury – Gareth Finney and Dan Sidders
Manager of the Year – Lee Anderson – Jamaica Wine House
New Licensee of the Year – Tony Tarrats, Sarah Smith, Annie Foreman, Duke of Cumberland Hotel, Whitstable
Pub Restaurant of the Year – George Hotel, Cranbrook – Martin Lyall
Pub Food of the Year – Queen’s Head, Boughton – David Kennedy
Wine Pub of the Year – Jamaica Wine House, Cornhill – Lee Anderson
Perfect Pint – Betsey Trotwood, Clerkenwell – Richard Cobbing and Scott Baker
Heart of the Community – The Cricketers, Horsell Birch – Clive Birch and Helen Pillinger
Best Garden of the Year – The Bull, Linton – Bob and Kim Garrett
Small Garden / Hanging Baskets – Poyntz Arms, East Molesey – Gary Jennings and Lucy Foreman
Lifetime Achievement – Dixie Dean, licensee of Prince Arthur, Shoreditch