Held at the House of Commons earlier this month (March), the awards, which are now in their sixth year, were in partnership with Matthew Clark and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
More than 700 entries were received from publicans and MPs across four key categories - support, fundraising, sport and sustainability.
The Royal Oak in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton took home the Outstanding Contribution Award, which also won the Community Fundraising Hero for England title.
The pub and its community were recognised for raising funds to purchase and maintain a blood bike while judges praised their efforts, which have completed 6,000 NHS jobs and trained three regulars as blood bike riders.
Legacy left
One of the pub’s management team was also a volunteer coordinator, completing 75 shifts while running the pub.
The Royal Oak team said: “We thought we had a chance of winning the fundraising award and we were chuffed when we did but to then receive the Outstanding Contribution award was absolutely overwhelming.
“Our charity work is a legacy we want to leave behind.”
Gerry McMahon from the Fadmoor Community Pub was given the UK Community Regular Hero award after being nominated by MP Kevin Hollinrake.
McMahon was recognised for his decade-long campaign to save his local pub from closure, playing a pivotal role in securing £300,000 in funding and achieving the Asset of Community Value status.
Best of the industry
The George in Castleton, Derbyshire took the title of UK Sustainability Hero for the second year running.
Operating a thriving kitchen garden, solar-powered energy solutions, an innovative kiln that repurposes glass waste, a community food swap and converting food waste into a soil additive were just some of the initiatives in place at the pub, which was also shortlisted as a finalist for Best Sustainable Pub in last year’s Great British Pub Awards.
Mary McCarron from main sponsor Matthew Clark said: “Pubs are more than just places to drink, they are vital hubs that bring people together, support charities and drive social change.
“This year’s winners showcase the very best of what our industry has to offer.”
The winners in full:
Outstanding Contribution
The Royal Oak, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton
UK Community Regular Hero
Gerry McMahon, Fadmoor Community Pub
UK Sustainability Hero
The George, Castleton, Derbyshire
Community Support Hero
England - Lock & Quay, Liverpool
Scotland - the Polwarth Tavern, Edinburgh
Wales - the George & Dragon, Abergale
Northern Ireland - Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen
Community Fundraising Hero
England - the Royal Oak, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton
Scotland - Westerton Arms, Bridge of Allan
Wales - King’s Head Inn, Llangennith
Northern Ireland - the Halfway House Country Pub, Broughshane
Community Sport Hero
England - the Pig & Whistle, Wandsworth, south London
Scotland - the Victoria Inn, East Lothian
Wales - Riverside Sports Bar, Newport
