The judges were won over by a hugely impressive operation, with a robust financial performance delivered in the face of tricky local market pressures in its south west England heartland.
St Austell has committed to significant upgrades across its 45-strong managed estate in recent years, successfully bringing a contemporary feel to traditional sites, without losing the essential DNA of the great British pub.
Development programmes
Its ability to adapt and evolve to engage effectively with both the local and visitor markets in a relatively soft staycation market was considered to be outstanding. This has reinforced the position of St Austell pubs as community assets as well as aiding commercial performance.
Bold moves, such as retaining full-time teams over the quieter winter months are paying off in stronger peak season performance because of the ongoing service standards that can be delivered.
Professional development programmes and consistent service expectations have resulted in highly motivated teams both front and back of house.
Constant evolution
St Austell’s food offering is constantly evolving, with chefs given scope to inject their own personalities to suit locations and sites, while the highly acclaimed St Austell beer range provides a strong backbone to a premium drinks line-up.
The company’s success in delivering high-quality pub experiences is reflected not only in exceptional like-for-like growth figures but elevated reputational scores that are among the best in the sector.
The judges for this award were also impressed by St Austell’s future plans, showing a reluctance to sit still and a determination to add even greater wow factor to its sites in future.
