The single site will either be a new-build pub or a substantial redevelopment with entrants demonstrating evidence of how effectively trade has been built at the site.
This year’s finalists are:
Arc Inspirations – BOX, Nottingham
Arc Inspirations opened its BOX site in late 2023 within a beautiful Grade II-listed building.
The site targets all age groups and offers great drinks, food, music, experiential gaming including darts and shuffleboard and, no matter where you sit, you will almost certainly be able to watch the big game on one of the dozens of screens across the ground floor expanse.
Stadium-style seating lies to one side of the building and makes a comfortable space for eating, drinking and watching revellers have a great time.
Upstairs, there are two rooms that can be used for meetings or private get-togethers that also double as karaoke booths with huge screens.
Heartwood Inns – The White Horse, Dorking, Surrey
As the first Heartwood Inns site to feature accommodation, the White Horse is the focal point of this Surrey town.
Opening in February 2024 with plenty of noise made about it and community ties made that will last for years to come, bringing locals in and tourists too was a key part to building the foundations of success here.
Not only are the bedrooms that range from ‘Snug’ to ‘Really Fancy’ – along with rainfall showers, Roberts Radios, Chromecast TVs and Bramley toiletries – appealing in this site that has been a coaching halt for hundreds of years, the food and drinks offer is great too.
JW Lees – Founder’s Hall, Manchester
The Manchester brewing and pub operating institution that is JW Lees reopened its former Duttons site as Founder’s Hall in February 2024.
The prompt to renovate came at the same time the area is being regenerated too, with work ongoing at Manchester Town Hall on the opposite side of Albert Square.
Beer is at the heart of the offer at Founder’s Hall but great food and a burgeoning entertainment offer can be discovered here too.
Many of the beers on offer come from the experimental Boilerhouse section of its brewery in Middleton, which is just six miles north.
Morgan Pub Co – The Old Mill, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Taking on and turning round a pub that had previously struggled was no easy task for Morgan Pub Co but an overhaul inside and out also meant a clean-up of the gorgeous canal side too.
Now with a big garden and plenty of outside seating – plus a bar – the Old Mill is a magnet for many groups of the community and tourists alike.
A unique feature is the water that flows into the back garden of the site that used to power a mill and is a must-see feature.
A great drinks and food offer has been established by Cat Morgan who is the daughter of pubco boss of 24 sites, Dick Morgan.
Ossett Brewery Pub Company – The Brewers 1841, Ossett, West Yorkshire
A complete overhaul of this pub has seen an entirely new section reclaimed from outdoors and a new bar built in a new area to name a couple of changes made.
Opening in August 2024, The Brewers 1841 – which celebrates the year of the establishment of the original brewery – is located in a cul-de-sac with only an industrial estate at the end where the current brewery lies.
Its own beers are the stars on the bar and that includes plenty of Ossett brew alongside its craft sister brand SALT.
A pizza offer and a self-serve ice cream machine mean this is not just a venue for beer lovers but families are welcome and it is that engagement with its community that make this pub a big hitter.
St Austell Brewery – Pier House, Charlestown, Cornwall
A phoenix from the flames, the Pier House was painstakingly rebuilt after fire devastated the building.
With plenty of involvement from the local community, the site is a proud flag bearer for St Austell Brewery and sits on the Charlestown coast in Cornwall with views to die for.
Accommodation and the food and wine offer are big for the Pier House while its own beers take centre stage at the bar.
Adjoined is the Harbourside pub that caters for craft beer lovers with many beers coming from Harbour Brewing Co.
The blaze meant some rooms from the accommodation offer was lost but the end result is a triumph with more dining space and views from many of the rooms being first class.
