Butcombe Brewing Co makes shortlist at this year’s Publican Awards

Liberation Group (owners of Butcombe Brewing Co) has been shortlisted as a finalist at this year’s Publican Awards. The brewery and pub group, with an estate spanning the south west and Channel Islands, has made the shortlist for three categories in the prestigious awards, which champion the very best operators in the pub industry.

Liberation Group is in the running for Best New Site, Best Premium Food Offer and Best Managed Pub Company. The company will be looking to defend its Best Food Offer crown, an award the group has held for two consecutive years.

Jayson Perfect, Group Managing Director, Pubs & Inns, Liberation Group says: “In what has been the most difficult of years, to reach the finals in three categories is a real boost. We’re incredibly proud of the way our teams have continually adapted and faced the challenges the pandemic has brought face on.

“The health, safety and well-being of our teams and customers is at the forefront of everything we do, yet we have still managed to set the bar high with our food and drinks offer whilst creating a comfortable, safe and welcoming pub experience for our guests.”

It has been an extraordinary 12 months for Liberation Group. Whilst managing the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown at the hospitality industry, the company acquired 21 sites from Wadworth, adding 140 rooms and over 800 new covers to its estate. Alongside this expansion the group has also embarked on an extensive program of refurbishment and upgrades and a substantial investment in outside areas providing safe and secure eating and dining areas at many of its sites.

Jayson Perfect continues: “This is the third year we’ve reached the finals for our food offer which is a huge achievement and pays testament to our executive chef Alice Bowyer and her team’s innovation, passion and dedication to making sure we serve the very best, using only the finest local produce and suppliers.”

A panel of judges made up of leading industry experts will oversee the second stage of the judging process which involves virtual head office visits and online interviews. A virtual evening awards ceremony on March 30th will replace the usual Publican Awards ceremony at Battersea Evolution in London.