Hall & Woodhouse scoops two national pub awards

Two of Dorset-headquartered brewer Hall & Woodhouse’s managed pubs have been crowned best pub in their county at the National Pub & Bar Awards. The Old Granary in Wareham is the ‘Best Pub & Bar in Dorset’ and the Portsmouth Arms in Basingstoke is ‘Best Pub & Bar in Hampshire’.

The two pubs won based on their diverse and creative approach to hospitality. Additionally, they were praised for the way their teams navigated the past 18 months in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and for the stringent safety measures that have been in place to keep guests safe.

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, said: “I’ve never been prouder of this industry. The entries for this year’s awards demonstrated the undeniable value that communities place on their beloved pubs and bars. To be able to acknowledge the hard work and diligence of venues across the UK is an absolute privilege. These outstanding venues deserve this recognition now more than ever.”

Chris Chapman, head of managed operations at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “After a turbulent 18 months it is fantastic for two of our houses to be nationally recognised as being the best within these two counties.

“The Old Granary has been part of the Hall & Woodhouse family for over 20 years and is loved by locals and tourists alike. With its iconic location on Wareham Quay with views over the Purbeck Hills, this beautiful pub is a very special place to relax with friends and family.

“The Portsmouth Arms and its team have played a central part in their community during the various lockdowns, while also managing to raise over £70,000 for charity.

“I am so proud of both teams for achieving this accolade after such a difficult year. They deserve this national recognition for their dedication to providing the best hospitality to our guests, despite the ongoing challenges that we are facing as an industry.”

The 94 county champions will be officially crowned at a red-carpet celebration in London in September. At the awards ceremony, 15 regional winners will also be announced as well as the overall winner of the ‘National Pub & Bar of the Year’ Award.

The Old Granary is an all-day café, bar and dining room situated on the banks of the River Frome in the picturesque market town of Wareham. It is a vibrant part of the community and a popular space where locals and visitors can relax, share food and celebrate.

The Portsmouth Arms is a traditional thatched roof pub at the heart of the Hatch Warren local community. Like all Hall & Woodhouse pubs, it is dog-friendly and provides hospitality for the whole family. The pub has a warm, traditional and cosy interior combining a dining room and more informal bar areas to make it a pub for all occasions.