JW Lees Win at the 2019 Publican Awards
14th March 2019
Manchester family brewer wins ‘Best Brewing Pub Company’ title. More than 1,400 people took a trip to London to celebrate some of the best operations in the pub industry at the Publican Awards 2019 (12th March 2019).
The awards, organised by leading trade title the Morning Advertiser, have been running for 28 years, and recognises excellence across the sector.
JW Lees won in the prestigious Best Brewing Pub Company, an award that celebrates the best companies who operate both a successful brewery and a managed or tenanted/leased pub estate or both. Shortlisted finalists in the category were JW Lees, North Brewing, Titanic and Lincoln Green.
William Lees-Jones, Managing Director, JW Lees, said “Brewing beer is at the heart of everything we do. We invest a huge amount of time and effort making sure the range, quality of beer and service is the best we can offer, so this accolade feels like a very big prize.
“Congratulations to the brewery and pub teams who have worked so hard to help us win this award. We were shortlisted together with some fantastic breweries and being recognized alongside them is a real honor.”
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, said: “The Publican Awards recognise the best operators across the spectrum of the UK pub sector, and JW Lees is a fine example of a business that is doing some great things in this sector.
“Winning the Best Brewing Pub Company award is no mean feat, and JW Lees beat off some very strong competition including previous winners in this category. Judges were impressed with the company’s attention to detail and the strength of connection between the brewery and the pub estate, describing it as a traditional brewer with a modern outlook.”
“Judging these awards is real privilege and it’s reassuring to see some of the great work that is going on in the industry, I’d like to congratulate all our finalists and winners.”
Comedian and chat show host Alan Carr mc’d the proceedings, which took place at Battersea Evolution in London, on March 12.
Meanwhile a range of sponsors and bar providers including ABInBev, Asahi, Britvic, Bacardi, Carlsberg UK, CGA, Coca-Cola European Partners, CPL Online, Fentimans, Food Spark, Freixenet, Fever Tree, Heineken, Kuehne and Nagel, Indie Brands, Molson Coors, Poppleston Allen, Southern Comfort, Tanqueray and Tia Maria all ensured the party carried on into the wee small hours with further entertainment provided by beat box experts Duke, the Rick Parfitt Junior Band and DJs provided by drinks brand WKD.
Full list of winners:
Best Premium Food Offer – Cirrus Inns
Best Pub Brand/Concept – Inception Group, Mr Foggs
Best Community Pub Operator – Stonegate Pub Company
Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) – Stonegate Pub Company
Best Late Night Operator – Deltic
Best Drinks Offer – Be At One
Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites) – Stonegate Pub Company
Best Brewing Pub Company – JW Lees
Best Food Offer – Liberation Group
Best New Pub/Bar – The Box, Arc Inspirations
Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company – Admiral Taverns
Best Managed Pub Company (2-50 sites) – The New World Trading Company
Business Leader of the Year – Simon Longbottom
Best Sustainable Pub Company – Darwin & Wallace
Best Pub Operations Team – Fuller, Smith & Turner
Best Accommodation Operator – Fuller, Smith & Turner
Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees) – Inn Collection Group
Outstanding Industry Contribution – Rooney Anand