Craft Union
Craft Union was founded in 2015 with the opening of its first site, the Market Tavern. It is also last year’s winner in this category.
Part of Stonegate, the business was created to revitalise traditional high-street pubs and return them to the centre of local neighbourhood life. Its estate now has more than 600 wet-led pubs across the country.
As a community pub operator, Craft Union empowers local operators to run pubs as their own businesses while benefiting from central investment, training and operational support.
This approach allows each venue to reflect the character of its local area while maintaining consistent standards across the estate.
Craft Union pubs host live sport, quizzes, entertainment and charity events that bring people together, while also supporting grassroots sport and fundraising for local causes.
Oak Taverns
Oak Taverns is a family-run pub company based in Thame that was founded in 1991 by Ian Collinson.
The business has since been developed by the family, with the current leadership team led by managing director Simon Collinson.
Focusing on carefully selected freehold sites and long-term investment in local venues, the company now has a portfolio 18 traditional wet-led pubs in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, centred around cask ale and community initiatives.
Its model prioritises simple operations, partnerships with local breweries and, in many cases, collaborations with street-food vendors to complement the drinks offer.
By investing in underperforming or closed sites and reopening them as welcoming neighbourhood pubs, Oak Taverns aims to preserve traditional pub culture while ensuring venues remain sustainable and relevant to the communities they serve.
Proper Pubs
Admiral Taverns launched its community-focused division Proper Pubs in 2021 as part of a strategy to invest in traditional, wet-led pubs across the UK.
The initiative was created to revitalise neighbourhood venues and strengthen Admiral Taverns’ presence in the managed pub sector.
Since its launch, Proper Pubs has expanded rapidly to more than 200 sites through acquisition and investment, building a nationwide estate focused on accessible, value-led, community-driven pubs.
The pubs all have a community hero at the helm and typically offer live sport and entertainment. Significant investment has also been made into refurbishing venues and improving facilities to ensure they remain attractive and sustainable community assets.
Community engagement sits at the centre of Proper Pubs’ approach, with each venue fundraising to have a defibrillator installed at the pub when it opens.
Its venues regularly host charity fundraisers for a variety of causes and individuals as well as local events and grassroots sports initiatives.
Stonegate Group - LBGTQ+ venues
Stonegate’s dedicated LGBTQ+ division has a portfolio of 13 venues across the country, all built around creating safe and inclusive spaces for everyone to be their authentic self.
The pubs all celebrate diversity and provide welcoming environments for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Each venue hosts a range of regular events including drag performances, supporting up and coming artists, as well as themed club nights, and community fundraisers, often working closely with local organisations and charities.
Pride is huge for the division and brings members of the community from all corners of the country together for annual celebrations each summer.
Its main charity partner is Stonewall Housing, with brewing partnerships raising funds year-round for the organisation, but it also works with other charities that support the LGBTQ+ community.
Through ongoing investment and partnerships, Stonegate aims to ensure its LGBTQ+ pubs remain vibrant social hubs that support visibility and connection for the LGBTQ+ community.
