Since launching in 2021, the Community Hero category at the Great British Pub Awards has shined a light on pubs that champion local causes, foster meaningful connections and provide essential support to those in need.
Thanks to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Great Britain Limited (CCEP), category sponsor for the past four years, all winning and shortlisted pubs have received thousands of pounds in prize money to help fund their community-driven initiatives. From mental health programmes to youth development, homelessness support and more, this funding has helped transform lives across the UK.
As the awards enter their fifth year, The Morning Advertiser, in partnership with CCEP, is celebrating these extraordinary pubs – highlighting the past winners that have truly gone the extra mile.
The community heroes
The Swan, the 2024 winner from Windsor, donated half of its prize money to The Green Room Foundation, a programme that helps 16–19-year-olds develop life skills through hands-on learning. The other half funded a ukulele group, French classes, Windsor Cycle Hub and a Chatty Café - a weekly gathering at the pub to combat loneliness.
The Old Abbey Taphouse, the 2023 winner from Manchester, is more than just a local - it’s a genuine lifeline. Run as a social enterprise, Steam Hubs and Pubs, it provides meals for 70 families every week through Taphouse TV Dinners and fosters community spirit through projects like CommuniTea, offering free hot drinks.
The Lion, the 2022 winner from Treorchy, is a true hub of community activity. It used its prize money to sustain projects from mother-and-toddler classes to weekly coffee mornings. It also hosts 12 sports teams and runs a local library, complete with live readings for the community.
A beacon of support
The Last Post Remembrance Bar, the 2021 winner from Stockton-on-Tees, became a beacon of support during the pandemic by providing free hot meals, Sunday lunches and food parcels to those in need. Beyond this, the venue houses a museum that offers educational visits, installed a lift for wheelchair access and even operates its own food bank and shower facilities for the homeless.
Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at CCEP, said: “Reaching the fifth year of the Community Hero category is a huge milestone, and it’s incredible to see how much impact these pubs have made over the years. They are not just places to enjoy a drink - they are true lifelines for their communities, offering support, connection and opportunities for those who need them most.
“We’re proud to shine a light on their contributions through these awards and to celebrate the people behind the bar who go above and beyond every day.”
