Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., the London brewer and premium pub company, is delighted to reveal that the winner of its annual Pub of the Year competition, The Griffin Trophy, is The Old Customs House, Gunwharf Quays. The pub, run by Marc Duvauchelle, won the top prize ahead of 400 other Fuller’s pubs for its commitment to building the pub’s reputation with exceptional standards throughout all areas of the business, epitomising everything that makes a Fuller’s pub stand out from the competition.
Following an extensive selection process, the final nine contenders of The Griffin Trophy were all visited by Chairman, Michael Turner, Chief Executive, Simon Emeny, and Corporate Affairs Director, Richard Fuller, and a winner was chosen. The result was announced at a ceremony held in the Board Room at the Company’s world-famous Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, West London on Thursday, November 9, 2017. The pub also took first prize in the Best Town/Local Pub category.
The Griffin Trophy awards recognise the efforts and achievements of the Company’s top managers and tenants in four categories: Best City/London Pub, Best Hotel/Inn, Best Town/Local Pub and Best Country/Village Pub.
Michael Turner, said: “I am delighted to be presenting the Griffin Trophy to Marc and the team at The Old Customs House. It’s an incredible site – formerly part of HMS Vernon, a shore establishment for the Royal Navy’s Torpedo Branch since 1876 – but now a multi-floor pub with 13 different areas for customers to enjoy. This makes it a very complex site to manage and it is to Marc’s credit that he uses this space with amazing results. Delivering delicious, freshly-cooked seasonal dishes from the kitchen and a vibrant range of drinks to an ever-growing number of customers, Marc is an aspirational role model for other Fuller’s managers.
“The Old Customs House caters for the many visitors to the nearby Gunwharf Quay shopping centre – from Millennials to pensioners – and Marc and his team have a keen focus on delighting them all, reflected in his 100% mystery customer score. It is fantastic to see such an iconic pub, in an area of intense competitive activity, doing so well and I look forward to see Marc develop the business even further. It is a pub that must be visited if you are in the area.”
Marc Duvauchelle, manager of The Old Customs House, said: “This is a fantastic surprise. A pub is nothing without its people so I would like to thank all my customers who have supported the pub and my wonderful staff, who make the pub what it is.”
The prize for the winning pub comprises a £5,000 holiday, a staff party, an engraved plaque and the coveted Griffin Trophy itself.
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For further information please contact the press office:
Georgina Wald 020 8996 2198 georgina.wald@fullers.co.uk
Joanne Steward 020 8996 2135 joanne.steward@fullers.co.uk
Alice Monteath 020 8996 2175 alice.monteath@fullers.co.uk
Picture captions:
Marc Duvauchelle (right) of The Old Custom’s House, Portsmouth, is presented with The Griffin Trophy, recognising Fuller’s Pub of the Year, by Fuller’s Chairman, Michael Turner (left).
Notes to Editor
The Griffin Trophy Winner 2017
The Old Customs House, Vernon Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TY
Best Hotel/Inn category
Winner: The Bull Hotel 34 East Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3LF
Runner-up: The Ivy House, London Road, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4RS
Best Country/Village Pub category
Winner: The Old Plough, 2 Station Road, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, KT11 3BN
Runner-up: The Windmill Inn, 58 Nore Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6JZ
Best Town/Local Pub category
Winner: The Old Customs House, Vernon Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TY
Runner-up: The Queen’s Head, 9 The Borough, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7NA
Best City/London Pub category
Winner: The Hereford Arms, 127 Gloucester Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 4TE
Runner-up: The Sail Loft, 11 Victoria Parade, London, SE10 9FR
Runner-up: London’s Pride, Queens Terminal, T2 Airside, Heathrow Airport, London, TW6 1EW