Perfect score for Liberation Group at Publican Awards

The UK and Channel Islands-based business took home the titles of Best Accommodation Operator, Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) and Best Premium Food Offer.

Hosted by Top Gear​ presenter Paddy McGuinness in front of 1,500 people at Evolution London, in Battersea, a wide range of businesses were recognised for outstanding work in the face of challenging circumstances.

Liberation Group managing director Jayson Perfect said: "It’s absolutely amazing the team has worked extremely hard over the past couple of years.

"The combination of walking away with three awards that we work so passionately hard for on a daily basis is phenomenal."

Head of food Alice Bowyer added: "We’re very proud of the innovation we’ve shown despite all the challenges we’ve faced in the past couple of years."

Winning businesses​

Also standing out from the crowd was Northern-based operators Arc Inspirations, which took home the titles of Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites) and Best Operations Team.

Arc chief executive Martin Wolstencroft said: "It's amazing, it’s fantastic. After two years of not doing anything, to come back and win… it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. It’s the best awards ceremony in the industry, we’re so proud.

"My advice to anyone thinking of entering [The Publican Awards] is to do it."

Peter Borg-Neal was voted Business Leader of the Year for not only guiding his business through the pandemic, but bringing it out stronger on the other side.

The hard work of UK Hospitality CEO Kate Nicholls was also recognised, with judges and finalists heralding her for her incredible dedication and hard work during the crisis, giving her the award for Outstanding Industry Contribution.

Outstanding performances​

Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser​, which organises the awards, said: “We’re delighted to be able to reveal, and celebrate with our winners, to shine a light on some of the incredible things they’ve achieved despite the challenges facing our sector.

“All of our finalists and winners are outstanding and it was a really tough job for our judges to pick out the winners for this year’s competition.

“The breadth and quality of our winners goes to show just how resilient and amazing the pub and bar sector is - no matter what is thrown at it, we manage to adapt, evolve and continue to provide superb services for customers, and outstanding places of work for employees. Long may that continue.

“These are very tough awards to win, with finalists being put through a number of rigorous processes before the winners are selected, and they really do represent the best of the best.”

The awards are made possible thanks to the kind support of sponsors, which includes: Britvic, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, CPL Learning, Diageo, Food Alert, Heineken, Kopparberg, Molson Coors, Sky and Stint.

The full list of winners in The Publican Awards 2022 were:

Best Community Pub Operator​ - Craft Union Pub Company

Best Sustainable Pub Company​ - Peach Pubs

Best Late Night Operator​ – Rekom UK

Best Accommodation Operator​ - Liberation Group

Best Food Offer​ - Provenance Inns & Hotels

Best Premium Food Offer​ - Liberation Group

Best Brewing Pub Company​ – North Bar/North Brewing Co

Best Drinks Offer​ - Albion & East

Best Pub Brand/Concept​ - Chestnut Group

Best Pub Operations Team​ - Arc Inspirations

Best New Site​ - Inception Group’s Cahoots Ticket Hall and Control Room

Best Pub Employer​ - Barons Pub Company

Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites)​ - Arc Inspirations

Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites)​ - Liberation Group

Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company (up to 500 sites)​ - Hall & Woodhouse

Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company (501+ sites)​ - Punch Pubs & Co

Business Leader of the Year​ - Peter Borg-Neal, Oakman Group

Outstanding Industry Contribution ​- Kate Nicholls, UK Hospitality