Held at the pub company’s Burton-on-Trent support centre, the ceremony hosted 300 guests including publicans, industry partners and suppliers on Monday 27 April.
Television personality Mark Durden-Smith joined Punch CEO Andy Spencer to host the awards across the 11 categories.
Dom and Shell from the Anglesey Arms in Chichester, West Sussex were named the 2026 National Publicans of the Year.
True stars
The duo thanked the pub company, their own team and all those who have supported them upon collecting the award.
Meanwhile, Trevor & Debra Wilding, who run the Jacksons Arms in Hartlepool were presented with the Special Recognition accolade.
Other categories included Community of the Year, Best Food as well as Locals Pub and Fireside Pub.
Punch boss Spencer described delegates as “true stars of hospitality”, praising their passion, resilience and commitment to ensuring their pubs are at the heart of the communities they serve.
Total institution
He added: “This year’s Publicans of the Year are building a total institution.
“Every year, their pub has become a better place to visit, work and enjoy. What’s incredible about the business they run is they nail both the everyday and the extraordinary, brilliantly.
“The people behind this pub are creating careers, memories and moments for tens of thousands of people each year - with no sign of slowing down.”
The winners in full:
- National Publicans of the Year 2026: Dom & Shell Roberts, the Anglesey Arms, Chichester
- Special Recognition Award winner: Trevor & Debra Wilding, the Jacksons Arms, Hartlepool
- Best Drinks Award winner: Lindsey Armstrong, Champs, Washington
- Best Food Award winner: Alex King & Joseph Clark, Bull Inn, Much Hadham
- Fireside Pub Award winner: John & Keisha Hodge, the Famous Crown, Manchester
- Locals Pub Award winner: Stevie & Elaine Spring, the Clousden Hill, Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Unity Social Award winner: Karen Downes & Michael Going, the Merry Mermaid, Skegness
- Best Pub Sport & Entertainment Award winner: Dawn Slater, the Garricks Head, Manchester
- Community Pub of the Year winner: Darren & Tina Tester, the Carisbrooke Arms, Gosport
- Doing Well, by Doing Good Award winner: Richard Gordon & Sonya Harvey, the Red Lion, Kettering
- Best Newcomer: Kelly Howarth, the White Horse, Bolton
