Pub Company Wins Top Award

Marston's Pub Company was crowned Pub Company of the Year last night at the prestigious Publican Awards.

The company, which was praised for introducing industry-leading retail agreements for pubs at the sharp end of the business, was rewarded for its innovation with the top prize after beating off competition from Fuller's, McMullens and last year's winner Charles Wells.

The Publican Awards, held at Grovesnor House in London, are the most coveted in the industry and celebrate the success of the trade's top operators.

Managing Director Alistair Darby said: "This award recognises our innovative ideas, our ability to stick with them, our radical approach to training and recruitment and our willingness to implement new thinking in a very difficult market.

"It's also recognition for the people in the office and in the field for their hard work in making this new approach work in tough circumstances over the last two-and-a-half years. Without them, none of this would have been possible.

"But not only that, it speaks volumes about Marston's integrity as a company. Having the internal culture to be able make this happen is remarkable. Without the hard work and cooperation from Marston's Inns and Taverns this would never have happened at all."

A statement from the judges said: "Marston's has taken a bold lead in radically modifying the relationship between its tenants and the licenses. This is backed up by an innovative, high quality training scheme for licensees, which ensures their pubs are run by the right people and they are making a real effort to recruit the right people."

Alistair added: "This award makes everyone's hard work every day worthwhile. We should all feel rightly proud."

The company faced stiff competition. Charles Wells has won the award for two years running and Fuller's and McMullens were also tough acts to beat.

The awards took place during the week that The Publican merged with the Morning Advertiser to form the Publican's Morning Advertiser.

Charles Reed, group managing director of parent company William Reed Business Media, said: "This event is quite rightly held in high regard because it celebrates the success of, and provides recognition for, the sector's top companies and outstanding licensees."

He added: "The pub trade has plenty of talent, and, of course, our winners are the cream of that trade."