Founded in 2009, Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars is owned by Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin.
Based in the north-west, the company impressed judges with its people focused, passionate and authentic customer-led approach.
Its seven sites are warm and welcoming, with open fires making for an idyllic pub setting, while offering something different when it comes to drinks.
With a different ‘speciality’ at each of its pubs, three of which also offer accommodation, the drinks menus at Cheshire Cat are unequivocally unique.
Drink champions
The Cholmondeley Arms is known as ‘the gin pub’, with more than 300 gins on the back bar, while the Manwaring Arms features more than 80 rums, including its own spiced rum.
At the Fitzherbert Arms there is a choice of more than 30 Ports while the Church Inn has a wine focus.
Each pub also showcases local cask ales and there is no ‘house’ wine to encourage guests to go out of their comfort zone and find something new that could soon become their new go-to tipple.
Many of the pubco’s staff are ‘champions’ who can offer advice to customers on subjects including beer, wine, spirits and food.
Excellent options
And its drinks suppliers not only give Cheshire Cat excellent options, they are also likely to found teaching staff members about their products so this knowledge can be passed on to customers so they can make more informed decisions.
The boutique pub group also scooped the prize for Best Pub Operations Team and Best Food Offer at this year’s Publican Awards, bolstering its drinks offering.
Collecting the Best Pub Operations Teams accolade, 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.”
