 St Austell Brewery has paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of its landlords, restaurateurs and hotel managers across the south west at the annual St Austell Brewery Estate Awards evening.
A gala dinner at the Headland Hotel in Newquay saw 280 people gather to look back on an extraordinary year in which the brewery and its pubs achieved significant success in the face of one of the toughest ever 12 months for the licensed trade.
Managers Pam and Simon Midgley from the Victoria Inn in Roche, picked up the Environmentally Sustainable Business of the Year (managed) in recognition of the team’s commitment to excellent environmental good practice. It was yet more recognition for the Inn after recently picking up a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).
The Golden Lion, Menherion scooped Environmentally Sustainable Business of the Year (tenancy), while the New Tenants of the Year Award went to Simon and Emma Messenger at the Russell Inn, Polruan and Tenant of the Year went to Tim Vigus at the Tyacks Hotel, Camborne.
Manager of the Year was awarded to Nick Hayman from The Central, Newquay. It was yet more recognition for Nick after the venue was judged to be the Best Entertainment Pub in the South West in the prestigious Great British Pub Awards 2008, organised by licensed industry newspaper The Morning Advertiser.
The standard remained high in the food category, with the accolade for Catering Excellence Business of the Year (tenancy) awarded to Alan Connor and Samantha Taylor at the Fox and Hounds, Comford, near Redruth.
Stephanie Todd made the journey from the Isles of Scilly to scoop the title of Catering Excellence Business of the Year (Managed) for the Atlantic Inn, St Marys.
Also in the food category a Catering Special Award was won by Molly Todd, who at the age of 84, still cooks regularly in the kitchen at The Copley Arms, in Hessenford, where she has worked for 30 years.
The title of Training pub of the Year was presented to Anita George MBE and husband Peter in recognition of their commitment to staff in their three tenancies, the Logan Rock Inn, at Treen, The Yacht, in Penzance, and the Kings Arms, in Paul.
Cask Ale Cellar of the Year (managed) went to the Holmbush Inn, St Austell and the Safe Harbour Hotel, Fowey scooped the title in the tenancy category. The Jubilee Inn, Pelynt, run by Charlie and Carole Edgeler scooped the title of Marketing Business of the Year (tenancy) and the Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown were crowned winners in the managed category.
New for this year was an award for Wine House of the Year which was presented to The Norway Inn, Perranarworthal by the Brewery’s Wine Buyer, Xenia Irwin MW.
Community Pub of the Year was awarded to the Brass Monkey, Teignmouth run by Bob and Jan Keating and the Earl of St Vincent, Egloshayle, Wadebridge continued its winning streak in the category by reclaiming the title of Pub Floral Display of the Year.
