Shepherd Neame Scoops Top Industry Award

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame was named Best Partnership Pub Company (up to 500 sites) at the Publican Awards on Wednesday, March 27.

The Faversham-based business was also shortlisted in the Best New Site category for its recent refurbishment of the Duke of Cumberland, Whitstable.

More than 1,500 guests attended the award ceremony, held annually to celebrate excellence across the pub and bar industry, which took place at Evolution London in Battersea Park and was hosted by comedian Tom Allen.

Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, said:

“These awards are the Oscars for the hospitality trade and are the ones to win for all operators in the sector. The judging process is rigorous and fair and we put all our finalists through their paces before picking out our final winners."

“All of the companies shortlisted in the awards are outstanding businesses, so to come out ahead is a fantastic achievement and one to be proud of.”

Shepherd Neame currently has 219 tenanted and leased pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, as part of its 300-strong estate.

Its in-house tenanted team offers a diverse range of bespoke support and initiatives to pub partners, including guidance in areas including cellar training, wine, food, marketing and compliance.

Licensee Clive Price, Managing Director of Barons Pub Company, which runs two of Shepherd Neame’s Surrey sites – The Cricketers in Woking and the Crown and Cushion in Camberley - was also named Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees) at last night’s awards, for a third year in a row.

Shepherd Neame Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said:

“We previously won the Publican Award for Best Tenanted and Leased Pub Company back in 2020, so to be honoured again within four years is just fantastic."

“When it comes to running a pub with Shepherd Neame, we don’t believe one size fits all. Just as our pubs have their own individual character, we know that every one of our partners has their own unique vision for their business. Our role is to offer all the support we can to help them achieve their individual goals and business ambitions."

“We have a brilliant tenanted team, led by Director of Tenanted Pub Operations Greg Wallis, who work incredibly hard to support our licensees, and it is great to see their efforts recognised at a national level with this award.”