Image: Great British Pub of the Year – The Gun Inn, Findon, West Sussex
The winners of the Great British Pub Award were revealed last night at an event in Manchester, hosted by comedian Russell Kane. A change in career has turned into a work of art for one hospitality operator after her pub was named Great British Pub of the Year. Sally Harris packed in her career as an art teacher to sculpt the perfect pub, with stunning results. She’s now netted the industry’s top prize after her pub, The Gun Inn, in Findon, West Sussex, was named the Great British Pub of the Year 2022.
Since the 17th century, The Gun Inn has been serving the people of Findon and now Harris and her team have given this pub a quirky modern twist without compromising its historic character. Harris has added her own unique touches to the decor, extending to the picturesque garden, while staff are encouraged to bring their ideas to a busy events calendar that includes themed food nights, the pub’s own music festival and fancy-dress contests for dogs. Plus, there’s a full range of Ringwood ales on the bar and an imaginative fresh-cooked European menu that packs a flavourful punch. Even the most experienced pubgoer will find something different and exciting at The Gun Inn. The food is excellent, the interior has tables of differing sizes to add to its offbeat appeal, a traditional roof is adorned with wooden beams and a fireplace that exudes what a real British pub is all about. Meanwhile, it has two private dining rooms to the rear that lead to a great garden with a covered area welcoming those seeking refreshment while enjoying a spot of fresh air.
The Great British Pub Awards recognises excellence across the pub trade, celebrating the diversity and range that makes the sector one of the envies of the world.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which runs the awards, said: “This isn’t about Michelin stars or spit and sawdust boozers, these awards recognise vibrant, superb businesses from every spectrum of the sector that form the heart of the communities they serve. We aim to shine a spotlight on how much pubs do for the local areas and how many of us had our first job in a pub where we learnt key skills? These venues also provide a spot for otherwise lonely people to have company and how many grassroots sports teams are supported and hosted at their local?
“Pubs have not had an easy time of it in the past couple of years and that certainly shows no sign of getting easier anytime soon either but, despite this, we still see superb businesses that do so much for so many and are a beacon of hospitality and inclusivity in these uncertain times.”
Despite tough times for pub operators, more than 1,000 pubs entered this year’s awards, across a wide range of categories, but only one could be crowned the overall Great British Pub of the Year and having triumphed as the Marston’s Pub of the Year, The Gun Inn, in Findon, went on to continue impresses judges to be ordained in the top spot.
Bedington added: “Sally’s approach to creating a modern, lively and imaginative community pub has really set herself apart and it’s fantastic to see some fresh and quirky ideas coming into the trade. This competition is especially tough with superb operators from across the UK fighting it out for the top spot. Sally has done a brilliant job in a relatively short time, and she and her team should be delighted with the success.”
The Great British Pub Awards have been running for more than two decades and is the pub sector’s leading awards, giving recognition to the best pubs in the country across a range of categories reflecting how the public use the pub, from family outings, sporting events through to celebratory meals. These awards aim to put a spotlight on British pubs, helping drive more footfall and, importantly, highlighting the jobs and safe spaces created in communities.
Previous winner, Heath Ball, owner of the Red Lion & Sun in Highgate, north London, said: “Winning these awards in 2018 was game-changing. We had a 50% growth in people through the doors in the following three months and a huge media interest. The judging process was really robust and takes an investment of time due to the written entry and site visit from a judge, but it was all worth it”.
Bedington added: “These awards recognise the best in the trade and give the owners and their teams the chance to celebrate despite the uncertain times we currently face.
“Pubs really are such an important part of our modern society, communities and heritage and it is wonderful to see the continued innovation, success and diversity that we have in the trade. Long may that continue.”
Full story on the Morning Advertiser, please see: https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2022/10/04/2022-Great-British-Pub-Award-winners
About the Awards
The Great British Pub Awards are run by The Morning Advertiser. The awards are entered by pubs across Great Britain. Each pub enters one or more categories depending on what that pub really excels at or its situation – pubs come in all shapes and sizes and serve a variety of communities whether rich or poor urban or rural, pubs adapt. Each category is shortlisted to 5 or 6 finalists based on a combination of written entry from the pub owner, online review scores and their own digital presence (website and social media). A judge goes to each of the finalists in that category on a surprise visit before licensees face a phone call from a judging team before a winner is decided.
From the 16 category winners, all the judges come together to agree on an overall winner, the Great British Pub of the Year. This site should epitomise the British pub and be able to take the opportunity afforded to it to be a voice for the industry.
The winners of the Great British Pub Awards are:
- The Dartford Sports Bar, Dartford Essex – Admiral Pub of the Year
- Strait and Narrow, Lincoln, Lincolnshire – Best City / Urban Pub or Bar
- The Three Hills, Bartlow, Cambridgeshire – Best Country / Rural Pub
- The Bellflower, Garstang, Lancashire – Best Pub for Dogs
- The Saddle Inn, Chester, Cheshire – Best Pub for Entertainment
- Ye Olde Bridge Inn, Oxton, Nottinghamshire – Best Pub for Families
- The Shibden Mill, Halifax, West Yorkshire – Best Pub for Food
- Tamworth Tap, Tamworth, Staffordshire – Best Pub Garden
- The Famous Three Kings, Fulham, London – Best Pub to Watch Sport
- The Riverside at Aymestrey, Herefordshire – Best Sustainable Pub
- The Lion in Treorchy, Wales – Community Hero
- The Greene Oak, Windsor, Berkshire – Greene King Pub of the Year
- The Gun Inn, Findon, West Sussex – Marston’s Pub of the Year
- The Red Lion, Guildford, Surrey – Punch Pub of the Year
- The Red Lion, Shepperton, Surrey – Star Pub of the Year
- The Old Windmill, Coventry, West Midlands – Stonegate Pub of the Year
- The Gun Inn, Findon, West Sussex – Great British Pub of the Year
Note to Editor:
We’d really appreciate it if you could include links to www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk in your copy. It is vital the winning pubs benefit from this recognition and we have created detailed videos of every winning pub and will host these on the site.
You can also visit www.morningadvertiser.co.uk or follow us on Twitter and Facebook
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About The Morning Advertiser:
The Morning Advertiser was launched in 1794 and is one of the longest running publications in the world. Now firmly in the 21st Century, The MA continues to be the definitive voice for the pub trade – offering the latest pub news, and unique advice-driven content for publicans, delivering powerful insights and robust information to help their businesses succeed.
Our team of award-winning journalists deliver daily news, analysis, online and face-to-face events, podcasts and video coverage of the issues and stories impacting decision makers in the licensed trade. Attracting online readership from across the licensed trade, we’re the go-to hub for access to the latest news, analysis and insights from the UK pub sector, providing pub operators with invaluable advice to grow their business.
Press release from Phipps Relations.
For further information, please contact Megan Pryor and Johara Chambers via megan.pryor@thisisphipps.com.