Seafood Pub Company crowned Publican Award winner

The Seafood Pub Company has been awarded a prestigious national title at one of the hospitality industry’s biggest annual events.

Managing director Joycelyn Neve and executive chef Antony Shirley were amongst more than 1,300 leading figures from the pub industry at the Grosvenor Hotel to discover the winners of The Publican Awards’ 19 categories.

The Seafood Pub Company was one of five pub groups vying for the Best Food Offer for 2 – 50 Sites award. An extensive judging process for the award included site visits, food tastings and an overnight stay by judge and Restaurant magazine editor Stefan Chomka as well as an interview in London.

The Publican Awards are recognised as the biggest in the pub industry and celebrate the achievements of leading pub companies in a range of categories. The Best Food Offer is awarded to a company delivering a successful food offer across their estate with food a key part of the company’s total sales.

The Seafood Pub Company was named the award winner by comedian and awards presenter David Walliams, and Raj Tugnait from sponsor Brakes. Judges were impressed with the company’s passion for developing innovative, affordable dining experiences in relaxed but stylishly contemporary venues across Lancashire.

“It was an incredible honour to be named the winners of such a tough category in front of some highly respected figures from the pub industry,” said managing director Joycelyn Neve. “It is a reward for all of our hard working team of seafood soldiers who are committed to delivering the highest level of service to our customers each and every time they visit.”

Executive chef Antony Shirley added: “Our food offering is something we are really proud of; never standing still when it comes to developing our menus and offering customers exciting new dishes alongside their old favourites. We are delighted that our passion using the highest quality, seasonal ingredients to create innovative menus has been recognised by such a prestigious national award.”

Joycelyn won a second award on the night when she was named the Sky Glamcam most glamorous lady at the event. She will now enjoy a day in Sky’s box at Ascot later this year. The Seafood Pub Company, which was founded by Joycelyn Neve in 2010, was named Restaurant magazine’s R200 Pub Company of the Year Award in 2014. It currently operates six sites in Lancashire: The Oyster and Otter in Feniscowles, Blackburn; The Assheton Arms in Downham, Clitheroe; The Fenwick in Claughton, Lancaster; Farmers Arms in Great Eccleston, Fylde; Derby Arms in Thornley, Longridge and the Barley Mow in Barley, Pendle. The Town Green Brasserie in Aughton, Ormskirk will become the seventh site to open in April this year.