Meet the winner of the Stonegate Pub of the Year 2023

The compact suburban pub, in Ruislip, west London, has been transformed into a community delight, with every square inch of the operation’s outside space being used to provide a wonderful space for guests.

Steve Banks and his team at the pub have taken a traditional old site and built a stunning outdoor space around it, more than tripling the interior space, and allowing the pub to trade strongly year round.

Outdoor transformation​

Working with a local gardener, Steve has transformed the outdoor space with an eclectic mix of flora and fauna which even includes its own grape vines.

The horticulture is complemented by an impressive approach to outside fixtures, all handcrafted from recycled and reused materials, giving the garden a rustic and individual look which is a delight for visitors, and offers impressive kerb appeal for those passing on the busy roads nearby.

With a nearby crematorium, Steve has also managed to build very strong business relations with surrounding funeral directors and his distinctive function room, featuring a listed bar, is regularly hired out for wakes and post-ceremony gatherings.

Career development​

With a background of having worked for John Lewis, Steve has transferred many of the skills of his previous career across, and as a result there’s a strong focus on training and career development throughout his business.

The overall result is that this is a pub that locals are delighted to have on their doorstep and staff are delighted to be working for.

A former finalist in the awards, this is a pub that continues to improve and grow, winning a number of previous awards, for both its gardens, and its operations.

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