Meet the winner of the Marston’s Pub of the Year 2023

The pub, based in the picturesque hamlet of Severn Stoke, near Worcester, has been flooded three times in three years, the kind of disaster that would leave many businesses in tatters.

But operator Andy Goodall accepted the challenge to battle the flood waters and has now managed to create a business that if not entirely flood proof, can be reopened in a matter of days, as opposed to months.

Considerable appeal​

That approach to managing disaster, along with a strong range of environmental initiatives all while maintaining the stunning 15^th​ century historical ambience of the pub is impressive. Extensive refurbishment has also followed each flooding, which means the pub is well invested and in great condition.

With a fantastic food and drink offer, this is a pub that keeps the locals flocking while pulling in punters from far and wide.

Extensive work not just on the pub, but on the pub’s garden has given the operation considerable appeal for those passing.

Operator experience​

Goodall’s background in the building trade has certainly been an advantage and has allowed him to create a fantastic outside space, with covered pagoda and a great outside bar which allows the pub to increase trade massively during the summer months, while roaring fire pits allow a cosier feel during the colder months.

Taking on the pub three years ago, Goodall and his team have worked hard to put the business at the heart of the community, providing facilities for local groups and the nearby church as well as paying for the village’s Christmas tree each year and hosting the annual lights switch on event.

Full list of 2023 GBPA winners:​

Great British Pub of the Year 2023 – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire​

Best City/Urban Pub – the Turks Head, Twickenham, Greater London​

Best Country/Rural Pub – the Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas, Cheshire​

Best Pub for Food – the Loch & The Tyne, Old Windsor, Berkshire​

Best Pub for Dogs – the Bellflower, Garstang, Lancashire​

Best Pub for Families – the Plough, Normanton on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire​

Best Pub for Entertainment – the Kings Arms, Bexleyheath, south east London​

Best Pub Garden – Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton, Dorset

Best Pub to Watch Sport – the Royal Dyche, Burnley, Lancashire​

Best Sustainable Pub – Stroud Brewery Taproom, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Best Pub Chef – Charlotte Vincent, Candlelight Inn, Chard, Somerset

Best Young Pub Chef – Karl Quirante, the Cricketers, Ormskirk, Lancashire

Community Hero – the Old Abbey Taphouse, Manchester​

Admiral Pub of the Year – Boot & Shoe, Ackworth, Pontefract, West Yorkshire​

Stonegate Pub of the Year – the Woodman, Ruislip, north west London​

Greene King Pub of the Year – the Stag, Lyndhurst, Hampshire​

Marston’s Pub of the Year – Rose & Crown, Worcester, Worcestershire

Punch Pub of the Year – the Plough, Prestbury, Gloucestershire