BEDFORD BUSINESSES RECOGNISED AS THE BEST IN THE PUB INDUSTRY
In an unprecedented achievement, there was a double celebration for Bedford based Charles Wells Pub Company at The Publican Awards, the annual ‘Oscars’ of the national pub trade.
Charles Wells Pub Company took the coveted crown as Pub Company of the Year for businesses operating over 200 tenanted or leased pubs and one of those pubs, The White Horse on Newnham Avenue, Bedford was named Tenanted/Leased Pub of the Year.
The Publican Awards recognise the top performing company’s and people in the industry and are a celebration of all the positive elements of the traditional British pub. The accolades were particularly important this year, given the difficulties facing licensees in the current climate of economic uncertainty.
Commenting on the success, Peter Wells, Sales & Marketing Director of Charles Wells Pub Company said "We're thrilled to be recognised as the Pub Company of the year as we've worked hard to develop an effective working relationship with our licensees that helps them provide a great pub experience for their customers. Everyone has worked together effectively to adapt to the changing needs of our customers during a period when consumer confidence is low and The Publican Award is deserved recognition for the Head Office team, our licensee partners and suppliers.”
Charles Wells Pub Company has 240 pubs throughout Bedfordshire and the surrounding Counties and the judges said the company was “a worthy winner of the award, thanks to their strong collaborative partnership with their licensees and the innovative ways they continued to support them during this most challenging of periods.”
There were further celebrations at the prestigious awards ceremony as Nigel and Sue Anstead, licensees of the company’s pub, The White Horse in Bedford claimed the Tenanted/Leased Pub of the Year title. With approximately 30,000 tenanted or leased pubs in the Country, this was a significant achievement and The Publican Award sets them apart from their competitors. As a result, The White Horse is a must visit for everyone who enjoys a traditional community pub.
Accepting the award Nigel Anstead said “We’ve built a close relationship with our customers so know what they want from their local community pub. We offer a traditional pub food menu, a wide range of fantastic speciality beers and wines from around the world and there’s always so much going on – from quiz nights to business breakfasts and local beer and food festivals to charity fundraising events – that you’ll always find something you enjoy. We have an excellent team who work really hard and focus on quality and customer service so customers are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome. This award really is recognition for everyone who calls The White Horse their local.”
Adding his congratulations, Peter Wells continued “The White Horse in Bedford is a fantastic example of licensees working closely with their community so we're delighted that Nigel and Sue Anstead have been named as Tenanted/Leased Pub of the Year at The Publican Awards. They’re very supportive of our own training programmes and mentor new licensees setting up their own pub business and are shining examples to the rest of the industry. A visit to The White Horse is always a pleasure and represents what a Great British pub should be."
Announcing the award, the judges of The Publican Awards said “The White Horse is a pub which is very well connected with the community through the efforts of the licensees. It has a unique array of events that are attracting customers in an edge-of-town location with plenty of competition."
Charles Wells Pub Company is actively looking for licensees like Nigel and Sue to develop their own business within a community pub. Anyone wanting to know more about their current business opportunities or the support packages that set them apart as the Pub Company of the Year should contact Yvonne Bates on 01234 244423 or check the website www.charleswells.co.uk.
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For Immediate Release: Thursday 2nd April 2009
For Further Information, please contact: Kate Hempsall
Tel: + 44 (0)1234 272625
kate.hempsall@charleswells.co.uk
Nigel & Sue Anstead, The White Horse
Tel: +44 (0)1234 409306
