GBPA 2022
Meet the winner: Community Hero sponsored by CCEP – the Lion
The pub is a chameleon, changing throughout the day from hosting ladies on their weekly coffee catch-up, to showing sport, being the meeting place for local groups from the local Welsh political party to mother and toddler classes and even being the centre point for successful high street initiatives such as the Christmas parade.
It is also the home to 12 sports teams, including pool teams, football teams, cricket clubs and a walking rugby team.
The pub is run by licensee Adrian Emmett, who takes an active role in the local community chairing various committees such as the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Hub and supporting a raft of charities.
Innovative initiatives
Over the past year there has been some innovative developments at the pub. A red telephone box situated at the front of the premises has undergone a major renovation.
It is now a library for people in the local area and it also hosts readings called ‘Live @ the Box.’ The space has also become a small art gallery showcasing the work of local young people.
The opening of a fruit and veg stall outside the pub during Covid has developed into a new sustainable zero-waste shop on the high street called ‘Green Valley.’
Famous guests
There has been significant development in the outdoor space. A dog-friendly outdoor sheltered area called ‘The Lodge’ which boasts heaters, lights, music, power and seven booths has attracted in new members of the local community.
The pub has even had a raft of visits from politicians such as Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford to royalty. Earlier this year the pub was visited by the now King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.
Meet all the 2022 GBPA winners:
The Dartford Sports Bar, Dartford Essex – Admiral Pub of the Year
Strait and Narrow, Lincoln, Lincolnshire – Best City / Urban Pub or Bar
The Three Hills, Bartlow, Cambridgeshire - Best Country / Rural Pub
The Bellflower, Garstang, Lancashire – Best Pub for Dogs
The Saddle Inn, Chester, Cheshire – Best Pub for Entertainment
Ye Olde Bridge Inn, Oxton, Nottinghamshire – Best Pub for Families
The Shibden Mill, Halifax, West Yorkshire – Best Pub for Food
Tamworth Tap, Tamworth, Staffordshire – Best Pub Garden
The Famous Three Kings, Fulham, London – Best Pub to Watch Sport
The Riverside at Aymestrey, Herefordshire – Best Sustainable Pub
The Lion in Treorchy, Wales – Community Hero
The Greene Oak, Windsor, Berkshire – Greene King Pub of the Year
The Gun Inn, Findon, West Sussex – Marston’s Pub of the Year
The Red Lion, Guildford, Surrey – Punch Pub of the Year
The Red Lion, Shepperton, Surrey – Star Pub of the Year
The Old Windmill, Coventry, West Midlands – Stonegate Pub of the Year
Natalie Coleman, the Oyster Shed, City of London – Best Pub Chef
Tiffany Long, the White Hart Freehouse, Ashill, Norfolk – Best Young Pub Chef
The Gun Inn, Findon, West Sussex – Great British Pub of the Year
