Highest ever number of entries for annual Thwaites awards

More than 85 entries were received from across the brewer’s pub estate, and the judging and shortlisting is now underway.

Two new categories have been added for 2014, including Best Trainer and Best Community Involvement taking the number of award categories to nine.

Appetite for success​

Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, said: "The standard of entries this year really is the best we’ve ever seen and it proves that there is a great appetite for success and excellence amongst our tenants and landlords. Judging is always a very difficult process but I can see that deciding on overall category winners this year will be challenging and cause for healthy debate.

"Our pubs really have gone the extra mile in 2013 and this shows in the quality and volume of entries we’ve received."

The Pub of the Year Award was won in 2013 by The Albion at Arnside.

This year's awards, held at The Cottons Hotel in Cheshire in April, are open to all Thwaites tenants across its estate of 320 pubs. Winning pubs will receive an engraved trophy, framed certificate and a 5-star short break to an overseas destination.