The Oxfordshire-based company took home the title of Best Community Pub Operator at the 2026 Publican Awards, held at Evolution, Battersea, London, on Wednesday 25 March.
Judges praised Oak Taverns’ commitment to its communities and clear understanding of what its customer base wants, successfully balancing tradition with forward-thinking initiatives to keep wet-led pubs relevant in an evolving market.
Local partnerships
Based in Thame, Oak Taverns has carved out a reputation for bringing closed or neglected sites back to life and strengthening the areas it serves.
Many of its pubs dedicate flexible spaces as ‘village halls’ for community groups to use, often free of charge, making them essential local hubs, a core focus of the business.
Its approach is rooted in restoring and preserving pubs through local partnerships, meaningful support for neighbourhood initiatives and prioritising the needs of each individual area.
While confident in its brand identity, the pubco avoids a one-size-fits-all formula, giving operators autonomy to develop each pub and respond authentically to local demand.
This independence is balanced with robust central support and solid but steady growth ambitions. Rather than expanding rapidly, Oak Taverns concentrates on acquiring and restoring venues that might otherwise have disappeared for good.
Community spirit
Its model champions traditional wet‑led operations, strong local partnerships, collaborations with regional breweries and, in many cases, partnerships with street‑food traders to enhance its offer.
Founded in 1991 by Ian Collinson, Oak Taverns remains proudly family-run. The business is now led by managing director Simon Collinson, alongside siblings David Collinson and Emma Stevenson, who continue to steer the company with the same passion that defined its beginnings.
Today, Oak Taverns operates 18 sites across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, each rooted in cask ale, community spirit and a belief in the long-term value of the British pub.
