Managed pub and bar operator TCG presented awards to six of its most successful general managers at its Annual Awards luncheon, held at Lord’s cricket ground.
Six general managers were given awards, based on their performance during 2014 across a range of measures including financial, people development, marketing and community engagement. In addition to an award for the best in each of TCG’s three sectors – Young Bars, Quality, and Local Pubs – the company also presented Most Promising, Social Media, and Food Business awards, before handing the top accolade of Outstanding Achievement Award to Raul Dolores, general manager of the Comedy near Leicester Square in London.
Awards were also given for best sales manager, regional operations manager and head office support, while six deputy managers were given special recognition.
Chief operating officer Nigel Wright said, “Presenting our Annual Awards is one of the most enjoyable tasks of the year, though as ever, choosing the recipients from a field of strong contenders was a challenge.
“Our ethos at TCG is all about giving our general managers the autonomy to run their business as they see fit to make them the best pub or bar in their area. We provide targeted support to help them, but the success comes from them and their teams, so the annual awards are truly a reflection of each winner’s talent, enthusiasm and hard work.”
He added, “What makes some of the sales and profit figures recorded by our winners doubly impressive is that they have been achieved within a largely uninvested estate. I am immensely proud that, as a business, TCG is managing to keep pace with competitors with significantly more investment, and the reason is our outstanding pool of general managers.”
Winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award, Raul Dolores has more than trebled sales and profitability at the Comedy since 2010, and turned the pub into the best place in London to celebrate big occasions – St Patrick’s Day is its biggest day of the year – while also building up its live sport, music and comedy offerings. Dolores was praised for his management and people development skills, which are all the more impressive given the wide range of nationalities working at the pub.
Dolores said, “Developing the Comedy into the successful pub it is today has been a series of steps, gradually growing its reputation as a great place for sport, for music and for big occasions as well as making the food and drink the best they can be. I couldn’t have done any of this without the hard work of my fantastic team and business partners, so this Award is as much for them as for me.”
All award winners were presented with a trophy and gift vouchers, while recognised deputies received vouchers.
Caption to attached image (l-r): back row, TCG chairman David Rimmer; Andrew Beaumont, Bucks Head; Peter Kitson, George Staples: middle row, chief operating officer Nigel Wright; Matthew Evans, Duke of Wellington; director of operations Ben Levick; Cee-Jay Williams, chef at George Staples; ROM Jeff Brown; Keith Treggiden, Rendezvous: front row, Suyki Lee-Nash, business analyst; Raul Dolores, Comedy; Emanuela Janczarek, Via West India Quay
TCG Annual Awards 2014
Outstanding Achievement Award
Raul Dolores, Comedy, London
General Manager of the Year, Young Bars
Keith Treggiden, Rendezvous, Weymouth
General Manager of the Year, Quality
Raul Dolores, Comedy, London
General Manager of the Year, Local Pubs
Andrew Beaumont, Bucks Head, Camden
Most Promising GM of the Year
Matthew Evans, Duke of Wellington, Soho
Food Business of the Year
George Staples, Sidcup (a King’s Feast site): general manager Peter Kitson and chef Cee-Jay Williams
Social Media Award
Ben Mills, general manager, Off the Wall, Chester
Regional Operations Manager of the Year
Jeff Brown: south west region
TCG Central Support
Suyki Lee-Nash, business analyst
Sales manager
Emanuela Janczarek, Via West India Quay
Deputy Manager Recognition
Ania Baranowska-Kolba, Hop Poles, Hammersmith
Olivia Callaghan, Jekyll & Hyde, Edinburgh
Luke Bratton, Via, Manchester
Sion Partridge, Henry’s Café Bar, Cardiff
Claudia Schadegg, St James Tavern, Soho
Sarah Sharpe, Star, Bishops Stortford
-ends-
Notes to editors:
- TCG operates a diverse estate of 65 managed pubs and bars nationwide.
- The business has a strong foothold in London, with high-profile sites such as the flagship Tattershall Castle floating bar and restaurant on the Embankment.
- The estate stretches across the country from Aberdeen to Newquay, and from Cardiff to Norwich. It includes late night bars, community and sports locals, student venues and quality town centre pubs, as well as a number of trading formats, such as the Henry’s Café Bar brand, Eerie Pubs and the King’s Feast food concept.
Issued on behalf of: TCG
By: ShielPorter Communications
Further information: Ros Shiel: ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137
John Porter: john@shielporter.com / 07734 054389