Bristol’s Butcombe Brewing Company has been named the best managed pub company at a prestigious hospitality industry awards ceremony.
The group and its parent company, Liberation Group, a Jersey-based independent brewer, have been recognised at the 2021 Publican Awards for successful management of an estate that spans across the South West and the Channel Islands.
Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic over the past year, which has forced pubs to temporarily close during three national lockdowns, Butcombe has been able to expand its operations.
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In November 2020, Butcombe acquired 21 pubs across the region from Wiltshire brewer Wadworth in a deal financed by Liberation Group which added 140 rooms to its managed estate.
Jayson Perfect, group managing director for pubs and inns at Liberation Group, said winning the award was “testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone in the business.”
He added: “This year has obviously been incredibly challenging and we’ve often had to react to circumstances quickly, change direction and think on our feet.
“But one thing has never changed, and that’s our passion for what we do and our dedication to providing our guests with the very best hospitality around.”
At a virtual ceremony hosted by comedian Ed Gamble, Liberation Group and Butcombe fended off competition from other finalists including microbrewery chain Brewhouse and Kitchen and London’s Urban Pubs and Bars group to win the award.
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One of the competition's judges Ed Bedington said: “The Publican Awards are the benchmark of excellence for the hospitality trade, and Butcombe should be rightly proud of their success in the competition.
“It’s an event that attracts the best in the business and to finish top is quite the achievement. I’d like to pay tribute to the team there and I hope they enjoy their well-deserved win.”
The Publican Awards was first held almost three decades ago, and is known in the pub trade for having one the most comprehensive, rigorous and reputable judging processes in the industry
Butcombe was acquired by Liberation Group in 2015.