TWO OF Reading’s pubs have been selected for awards at the Greene King awards, with one taking pub of the year.
The Palmer Tavern took the top award at the event which celebrates Greene King’s leased, tenanted and franchise businesses.
The Pub Partners Franchise Awards recognise the very best of Greene King Pub Partners’ franchisees, who operate Hive and Nest pubs in partnership with Greene King.
The Palmer Tavern on Wokingham Road was not only awarded Pub of the Year, but also took Sports Pub of the Year, garnering two of the eight total awards.
The Good Companions in Woodley also took a prize as it was jointly selected as Digital Pub of the Year, alongside the Red Lion in Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire.
Community Pub of the Year went to Highwood in Solihull, while Food Pub of the Year went to Broken Cross in Rudheath.
The Bull’s Head, in Hazel Grove, and Moor Top, in Heaton Moor, were jointly awarded Support Pub of the Year, and The Marquis of Granby, in Stevenage, was awarded Ops Excellence Pub of the Year.
As well as the celebrations, a morning conference took place with all franchisees, featuring industry presenters including Steven Alton, CEO of the BII, and Chris Welham of the Licensed Trade Charity.
Their sessions highlighted the resilience of publicans as well as the vital support their organisations provide to franchisees and their teams.
A franchisee panel was also hosted, enabling franchisees to share their experiences and learnings with one another.
Penny Baldwin, Franchise Operations Director for Greene King Pub Partners, said: “A huge congratulations to all of this year’s Franchise Award winners.
“These awards are about recognising the very best of our franchise partners – the operators who not only run great pubs but also create brilliant experiences for their communities.
“Our Franchise Festival is a great chance to celebrate together as one team and recognise the incredible growth of our franchise business, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Greene King is a pub company and brewer with around 2,600 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland.
