- See the full list of 2025 Publican Awards winners here.
Hundreds of people from the industry celebrated the 2025 event earlier this month (Wednesday 26 March) at London Evolution in Battersea.
Seeing success in the Best Partnership Pub Company and Best Late Night offer category, Laine Pub Company’s Russell Danks said: “We give people a great time out, they forget to go home. This is for the people of London, Brighton and Norwich.”
Founder Gavin George added receiving the accolade was a career highlight and praised the work of Danks and the whole Laine team.
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns was honoured with three awards on the night. After winning the business’s third award of the evening, for Best Pub Operations Team, owner Tim Bird said: “This has been the greatest highlight of my career without a shadow of a doubt.
“I have worked in this industry since the age of 16 and this is my proudest career moment.”
Expert advice
Co-owner Mary Mclaughlin added the secret to the firm’s success was all about people: “Look after them, show them the way, treat people with empathy and lead from the front – it’s as simple as that.”
The company also won the Best Food Offer award and the Best Drinks Offer accolade.
Collecting the Best New Site award on behalf of Box Nottingham – an Arc Inspirations site – general manager Jamie Barnes said: “I’m lucky to be the captain of the ship.”
Chris Jowsey was named Business Leader of the Year and when asked which meant more to him, Newcastle United winning the Carabao Cup or him winning this award, Jowsey said: “This is a big Dan Burn (Newcastle defender) moment for me and I’m really appreciative.
“A good coach should recognise the whole team and we have a fantastic team.
“Community pubs are what it’s all about for us at Admiral and the country would be bereft without them.”
Pub impact
Furthermore, Jowsey was positive about the future of the industry.
He said: “We adapt to everything. It would be so wonderful if everyone could value the social and economic impact pubs have.”
On the suggestion that Anglian Country Inns had become the ‘judges’ pet’ by implementing a host of changes following feedback from last year and receiving the gong for Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees), James Nye said: “It’s absolutely amazing. Will (Chew) has done a lot of the hard work.”
The Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) award was presented to Hickory’s Smokehouse.
Managing director John Welsh said: “We don’t get it right every day but we try our best to make it the best place to work.”
Craft Union Pub Company took the title of Best Community Pub Operator.
Managing director Frazer Grimbleby said: “This is for every single operator that serves their community and all the teams.”
