Meet the finalists: Best Managed Pub Company

Liberation Group/Butcombe Brewing Company ​

The Channel Islands-based group currently operates 68 predominantly freehold pubs across Jersey (44 pubs), Guernsey (22 pubs) and Alderney (2 pubs) in addition to 30 pubs across Somerset, Bristol, Bath, Gloucester and Wiltshire through Butcombe Brewery – which it acquired in January 2015​.

What’s more, the winner of the Best Food Offer prize at last year’s Publican Awards, Liberation Group has once again been shortlisted for its culinary prowess, this time in the Premium category.  

Cubitt House 

Cubitt House is an independent business boasting eye-catching pubs across some of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods. 

It’s estate comprises the Thomas Cubitt (Belgravia), the Alfred Tennyson (Knightsbridge), the Orange (Pimlico) and the Grazing Goat (Marylebone). 

Wells & Co

Formerly known as Charles Wells, independent, family-owned business Wells & Co was founded in 1876 and currently operates an estate of 190 pubs in the UK and 17 in France. 

The operator is also a finalist in this year’s Best Community Pub Operator category

The Inn Collection Group

Based in the north east, the Inn Collection Group's seemingly ever-growing portfolio currently comprises 19 sites in coastal, country, town, and city locations across County Durham, the Lake District, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and Yorkshire.

Far from a stranger to the Publican Awards, the Inn Collection Group has won the Best Pub Employer (up to 500 people) prize for two years on the spin and prides itself on creating sites to eat, drink, sleep, and explore from.

The Inn Collection Group has also been shortlisted in the Best Accommodation and Best Pub Employer categories this year. 

Brewhouse & Kitchen

Founded in 2013, Brewhouse & Kitchen operates a nationwide estate of brewpubs – with each boasting its own microbrewery on site. 

The operator is also a finalist in this year’s Best Managed Pub Operator category and was a finalist in three categories at the 2020 Publican Awards – for Best Brewing Pub Company, Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 employees) and Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees). 

Urban Pubs & Bars

Urban Pubs and Bars is an independent, food-led, managed pub, restaurant and bar operator, founded in 2014 and with sites spread across London.

The operator won the 2020 Publican Award for Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites) having also been shortlisted in that year’s Best New Site category for Juno Rooms in the City of London. 

• Check out the full list of finalists at the 2021 Publican Awards​​​​ ​​here​​​​​​​​