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The Royal Dyche in Burnley, which was named the Best Pub to Watch Sport in 2023, was this year’s PubAid Community Pub Hero.
The Lancashire pub took the overall title after also being named Community Sport Hero for England at PubAid’s awards, with judges particularly impressed by the breadth of its commitment to Burnley.
Grassroots sports and live music, mental health initiatives, free meals, fundraising and community events are just some of ways it brings people together.
It has raised more than £50,000 for charities and invested more than £10,000 in grassroot sports alongside providing opportunities for local performers, tackling loneliness and supporting people across its community.
Winners of the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2026, sponsored by Diageo and supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group were announced at a special reception at the House of Commons this week (Tuesday 8 September).
Extraordinary contribution
PubAid co-founder Des O’Flanagan said: “Every year these awards remind us just how extraordinary the contribution of pubs to their communities really is and this year was no exception.
“The Royal Dyche stood out because community is embedded in almost everything it does. Its commitment goes far beyond any one initiative - it understands celebrates and champions Burnley and continually finds new ways to make a positive difference to the people who live here.
“But these awards are also about celebrating the incredible work happening in pubs right across the UK.
“From fundraising hundreds of thousands of pounds and keeping grassroots sport alive to tackling isolation, creating inclusive spaces and driving environmental action, our winners demonstrate just how valuable pubs are to the communities they serve.”
Diageo GB ESG lead Elisabeth Rochford said the business was proud to sponsor the awards and congratulated those recognised.
Rochford added: “The best pubs are about much more than hospitality. They bring people together and support their local communities.
“From backing local causes and grassroots sport to creating welcoming spaces for everyone, these winners show the positive difference a community pub can make.”
Record number nominations
Furthermore, this year’s awards received hundreds of entries across the nation and a record number from MPs.
O’Flanagan added: “The record number of MPs nominations this year is particularly encouraging.
“MPs see first-hand the role these pubs play in their constituencies and their engagement helps us continue to get the message into parliament that pubs are so much more than places to have a drink.”
The winners in full:
Community Sport Hero
The Royal Dyche, Burnley (England)
The Athletic Arms, Edinburgh (Scotland)
Wild Horse Tap Room, Llandudno (Wales)
Teddy’s of Bangor (Northern Ireland)
Community Fundraising Hero
The Beeswing, North Yorkshire (England)
The Auld Hoose, Kinghorn (Scotland)
The Bull Inn, Llannerchymedd, Anglesey (Wales)
Patsy’s Bar (Northern Ireland)
UK Community Sustainability Hero
The Old House at Home, Surrey
Community Support Hero
The Oxleathers, Stafford (England)
The Islay Inn, Glaasgow (Scotland)
The Halfway Pub, Abergavenny (Wales)
Bullhouse East, Belfast (Northern Ireland)
