Awards, Business & Social Responsibility

Awards

Note: There are separate lists for property/design/heritage awards and for drink awards.

2024

Financial Times Diversity Leaders 2024 ‘Europe’s Diversity Leaders 2024’ (restaurants rank 16; overall rank 806)
Top Employer United Kingdom 2024
The Sustainable Restaurant Association ‘Food Made Good’ standard (three-star standard 2024–2026)
Financial Times Climate Leaders 2024 ‘Europe’s Climate Leaders 2024’

2023

Top Employer United Kingdom 2023
Harrogate in Bloom 2023 – The Winter Gardens (Harrogate)
- Gold
- Best overall display
Lovely Louth Licensed Premises 2023 – The Joseph Morton (Louth) (third place)
Great Yarmouth Civic Society – The Troll Cart (Great Yarmouth)
- Overall best business
- Best food and drink outlet
Southend Echo newspaper ‘best local pub’ The Elms (Leigh-on-Sea)
Flowers in the City campaign ‘Edmund and Annie Hart Trophy’ The Liberty Bounds (City of London)
Britain in Bloom ‘hospitality category’ The Royal Hop Pole hotel (Tewkesbury) (gold)
Loo of the Year Awards 2023

Overall corporate provider
Champions league award
11 diamond awards
120 platinum plus awards
554 platinum awards
122 gold awards
National category awards:

Accessible toilets: The Rawson Spring (Sheffield); Yr Hen Dderwen (Carmarthen)
Hotels: The Queen’s Head Hotel (Tavistock); Jolly’s Hotel (Broughty Ferry); The George Hotel (Brecon)
Pubs and wine bars: The Rose Saltern (Bideford); The Standing Order (Edinburgh); Yr Hen Dderwen (Carmarthen)

British Travel Awards 2023 ‘best airport retailer for food & beverages’ J D Wetherspoon

2022

Licensed Trade Charity – National Staff Well-being Award 2022 (for companies with more than 250 sites)
Best Bar None awards (gold)
- The Golden Acorn (Glenrothes)
- The Guildhall & Linen Exchange (Dunfermline)
- The Robert Nairn (Kirkcaldy)
Loo of the Year Awards 2022
- Overall corporate provider
- Leading provider (pubs and restaurants category)
- Best provider of toilets in pubs and restaurants in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- 14 diamond awards
- 138 platinum plus awards
- 582 platinum awards
- 98 gold awards
Ilford Business Awards 2022 ‘best hospitality business’ The Great Spoon of Ilford (Ilford) (winner)
Travel & Leisure (HTL) Index 2022 ‘role models for inclusion in hospitality’ Debbie Whittingham (regional manager and employee director)
Ruthin Town Council ‘best floral display – licensed premises’ The Castle Hotel (Ruthin) (first place)
Hull Business Improvement District (BID) Awards The Admiral of the Humber (Kingston Upon Hull) (shortlisted)
Royal Horticultural Society ‘southwest bloom awards’ The Bear (Melksham) (recognised)
Financial Times Climate Leaders 2022 ‘Europe’s Climate Leaders 2022’

2021

National Pub and Bar Awards 2021 ‘pub brand of the year’ (winner)
National Pub and Bar Awards 2021 ‘pub brand of the year’ (top-100 most-loved eating-out brands)
Licensed Trade Charity 2021 ‘raising awareness internally award’ (finalist)
Soil Association Out to Lunch Awards 2021 ‘best children’s menu’ (winner)
Loo of the Year Awards 2021
- Overall corporate provider
- 25 diamond awards (the highest-possible rating)
- 746 platinum awards
- 46 gold awards
- National category awards:
  - Hotels: Keavan’s Port Hotel (Dublin); Sandford House (Huntingdon); The George Hotel (Brecon); The Saltoun Inn (Fraserburgh)
  - Historic buildings: The King Doniert (Liskeard); The Palladium (Llandudno); The Silver Penny (Dublin)
  - Pubs and wine bars: The Aneurin Bevan (Cardiff); The Corryvreckan (Oban); The Rose Salterne (Bideford); The Silver Penny (Dublin)
Financial Times Climate Leaders 2021 ‘Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021’

2020

Top Employer United Kingdom 2020 (17 consecutive years)
Loo of the Year Awards 2020 ‘overall corporate provider’

2019

Speak Out Group ‘bright sparks Kitemark award’ The Ferry Boat (Runcorn)
Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards ‘team of the year 2019’ The Winter Gardens (Harrogate) (shortlisted)
Top Employer United Kingdom 2019
Soil Association Out to Lunch Awards 2019 ‘best children’s menu’ (winner)
BFFF Awards ‘best new ethnic or world cuisine product’ sweet potato, chickpea & spinach curry (silver)
BFFF Awards ‘best new starter product’ mac cheese bites (gold)
British Pie Awards 2019 steak & kidney suet pudding (silver)
Meat Management Industry Awards 2019 ‘best bacon product’ baconnaise (highly commended)
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2019 ‘value pub restaurant’ (winner)
MSC UK Award 2019 ‘MSC UK newcomer of the year’
NEC Group Brilliance Scheme ‘catering partners league’ Birmingham NEC (gold)
Loo of the Year Awards 2019

Overall corporate provide
Overall UK winner
Champions league standards of excellence
UK and Ireland ‘space to change toilets’ The Booking Office (Edinburgh) (winner)
Scotland ‘accessible toilets’ (winner)
Scotland ‘space to change toilets’ The Booking Office (Edinburgh) (winner)

2018

Top Employer United Kingdom 2018
CGA Hero and Icon Awards 2018 ‘power brand’ (winner)
The Sustainable Restaurant Association – Waste No Food Award 2018
Loo of the Year Awards 2018
- Overall corporate provider
- Overall UK winner
- ‘Space to change’ award
- 757 platinum awards
- 80 gold awards

National category awards:
- Hotels: The Queen’s Head Hotel (Tavistock); The Saltoun Inn (Fraserburgh)
- Historic buildings: The Ledger Building (Docklands); The Palladium (Llandudno)
- Pubs and wine bars: The White House (Leicester); The Paddle Steamer (Largs); The Aneurin Bevan (Cardiff)

2017

Top Employer United Kingdom 2017
Disability Confident Employer
FAB Award ‘individual food and beverage offer in a train station’ The Booking Office (Edinburgh) (highly commended)
Soil Association Out to Lunch Awards 2017 ‘best children’s menu’ second place
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2017 ‘town and city pub’ (winner)
BFFF Awards ‘best new meat free/vegetarian product’ Mediterranean veg lasagne (gold)
BFFF Awards ‘best new starter/appetiser’ vegetable samosa
BFFF Awards ‘food service product of the year’ vegetable samosa
PETA Vegan Food Awards 2017 ‘best vegan noodle dish’ teriyaki noodles (winner)
Free from Eating Out Awards 2017 ‘restaurant chains’ – (silver)
Loo of the Year Awards 2017
- 722 platinum awards
- 120 gold awards UK ‘accessible toilets’ (winner)
- Trophy ‘in-house cleaning team’
- Champions league standards of excellence
- Wales ‘in-house cleaning team’ (winner)
- Wales ‘accessible toilets’ The Pontlottyn (Abertillery) (winner)
- Wales (individual category winner)

2016

Top Employer United Kingdom 2016
CGA Hero and Icon Awards 2016 ‘power brand’ (winner)
FAB Award ‘best worldwide airport bar 2016’ The Windmill (Stansted Airport) (winner)
FAB Award ‘best worldwide airport bar 2016’ Wetherspoon (Birmingham Airport) (highly commended)
FAB Award ‘individual food and beverage offer in a train station’ The North Western (Liverpool Lime Street station) (highly commended)
Loo of the Year Awards 2016
- Champions league standards of excellence (national winner)
- Individual category – Ireland
- Accessible toilets – Scotland
- Changing Places toilet – The Velvet Coaster (Blackpool)
- National category awards:
  - Historic buildings: The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Keswick)
  - Pubs: The Stannary Court (Plympton); The John Fairweather (Cambuslang); The Godfrey Morgan (Cardiff); The Great Wood (Blanchardstown, Dublin)
Metropolitan Police Business CCTV Award 2016
All Parliamentary Beer Group 2015 ‘pub aid award’ (winner)
PETA Vegan Food Awards 2016 ‘best vegan curry’ sweet potato, chickpea & spinach curry (winner)
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2016 ‘best town and city menu’ (winner)
Casual Dining Restaurant and Pub Awards 2016 ‘multiple casual dining pub brand of the year’ (winner)
Soil Association Out to Lunch Awards 2015 ‘best children’s menu’ (fourth place)
British Pie Awards 2016 ‘British steak & Doom Bar ale pie’ (gold)
Food Management Industry Awards 2016 ‘best frozen product’ Lincolnshire sausage
British Pig Executive Award 2015 Lincolnshire sausage (gold)
YouGov Brand Index 2016 ‘Britain’s favourite fast food and pub chain’ (top buzz ranking of 6.4 (double the score of the company placed second))
SAP Customer Centre of Expertise Award 2016

2015

Top Employer United Kingdom 2015
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2015 ‘best town and city menu’ (winner)
All Parliamentary Beer Group Pub Aid Award (winner)

2014

Top Employer United Kingdom 2014
Peach Factory Hero and Icon Awards 2014 ‘power brand’ (winner)
Sustainability Leaders Awards 2014 ‘waste and resource management’ (joint award with DHL) (winner)
Eat Out magazine 2014 ‘the nation’s favourite pub’ (winner)
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2014 ‘best town and city menu’ (winner)
BFFF Awards ‘best new main course/meal centre plate’ beef & pancetta lasagne (gold)
British Pig Executive (BPEX) Awards 2014 Lincolnshire pork sausage (gold)
British Pie Awards 2014 British beef & Abbot Ale pie (bronze)
Great Taste Award 2014 haggis

2013

Top Employer United Kingdom 2013
Youth 100 Awards entertainment category (winner)
Soil Association Out to Lunch Awards 2013 ‘best children’s menu’ (second place)
FAB Award ‘best worldwide airport bar 2013’ The Red Lion, Gatwick (winner)
Drinks Business Green Awards 2013 ‘logistics and supply chain green initiative of the year’ (joint award with DHL)
The Ministry of Cake 2013 chocolate fudge cake, one million slices sold (gold)
Better Regulatory Delivery Office (BRDO) Primary Authority Partnership Award 2013 ‘recognising how primary authorities and businesses can work together for local growth and better protection’ (in partnership with Reading Borough Council) (winner)
Loo of the Year Awards 2013
- Champions league standards of excellence award
- Scotland (national winner)
- England (national winner)
- Wales (national winner, accessible toilet category)

2012

Top Employer United Kingdom 2012
SAP Quality Awards 2012 medium-size implementation (gold)
Publican Awards 2012 ‘pub company of the year’ (managed 100+ outlets) (finalist)
Loo of the Year Awards 2012

UK (overall winner)
Market sector award
Champions league standards of excellence award

HM Government Institute of Fundraising, Payroll Giving Quality Mark 2012

2011

Top Employer United Kingdom 2011
Peach Factory Hero and Icon Awards 2011 ‘industry hero’ (winner)
England’s Best Steak Pie Competition 2011 british beef & abbot ale pie (overall winner)
FTSE4Good, certificate of membership
Loo of the Year Awards 2011
- Overall UK winner
- National winner – Wales
- Champions league standards of excellence

2010

Top Employer United Kingdom 2010
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2010 ‘town and local pub’ (winner)
Publican Awards 2010 ‘pub company of the year’ (managed 100+ outlets) (winner)
The Rainforest Alliance – Sustainable Standard-setter Award
Association for Organics Recycling Awareness ‘retailer of commercial food waste recycling’ (finalist)
CIWM Awards for Environmental Excellence ‘recycling performance of the year’
CLIC Sargent special recognition award (raising £3 million)
MAGA Cornish Language Partnership ‘business of the month’
ACCA Approved Employer Training Development (silver level)
Loo of the Year Awards 2010
- Overall corporate provider UK
- Champions league standards of excellence

2009

Top Employer United Kingdom 2009
Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards 2009 ‘most responsible managed pub chain’
National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2009

‘best development programme in managed estates’ (winner)
‘social responsibility award when consumption is on the premises’ (winner)
‘best training scheme run by institutions of future education in partnership with the licensed trade’ (winner)

Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards ‘best company’ (winner)
Green Heroes – Helping others to Help the Environment
Peach Factory Hero and Icon Awards 2009 ‘evolutionary brand’ (winner)
Business in the Community – CARES award (support for Give and Gain)
Menu Innovation and Development Awards (MIDAS) 2009 ‘town and local pub’ (winner)
FTSE4Good, company membership
Loo of the Year Awards 2009
- Overall corporate provider UK
- Champions league standards of excellence

2008

Top Employer United Kingdom 2008
National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2008
- ‘best development programme in managed estates’ (winner)
- Social responsibility award, where consumption is on the premises
- ‘best training scheme run by institutions of future education in partnership with the licensed trade’ (in partnership with Nottingham Trent University) (winner)
Brammy Awards ‘best Bramley Apple food-service company’
The Green Organisation Green Apple Award ‘green champion’ (large companies) (winner)
Eat Out Magazine 2008 ‘best kids’ menu’
Loo of the Year Awards 2008 ‘overall corporate provider’
Watford Borough Council One Watford Sustainable Workplace Awards 2008
Guinness World Records ‘largest wine-tasting event in the world’ (17,540 participants in 409 pubs across the UK)
Best Bar None awards
- The Welkin (Liverpool)
- The Lime Kiln (Liverpool)
Dover business partnership against crime ‘safer socialising award’ The Eight Bells (Dover)
Wiltshire’s Best Award 2008 ‘best local pub’ Sir Isaac Pitman (Trowbridge)

2007

Top Employer United Kingdom 2007
National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2007
- ‘best training scheme run by Institutions of future education in partnership with the licensed trade’ (in partnership with Nottingham Trent University) (winner)
- ‘best development programme in managed estates’ (highly commended)
Age Awareness Award (2007)
BAA Retailers Academy ‘employer of the year’ (winner)
Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2007 ‘revitalised brand of the year’ (finalist)
CIWM Awards for Environmental Excellence ‘high street recycling champion’ (joint award with DHL)
Peach 2020 Awards 2007 ‘hero company’ (winner)
Pub Chef Food Excellence Awards 2007
- ‘first for pub food’ (finalist)
- ‘food operator of the year (branded)’ (finalist)
Publican Awards 2007 ‘pub company of the year’ (highly commended)
British Pig Executive British Sausage Awards 2007 Lincolnshire sausage (winner)
FTSE4Good, company membership
City of London Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership ‘safety thirst award’ The Green Man (Poultry)
Pub Watch achievement awards
- ‘pub manager and team of the year’ The White Swan (Solihull)
- ‘venue of the month’ The Full House (Hemel Hempstead)
- ‘venue of the month’ The Draper’s Arms (Peterborough)
Best Bar None Awards – The Red Lion (Doncaster)
Loo of the Year Awards 2007
- standards of excellence ‘best toilet provider’
- England – The Bishops’ Mill (Durham) (winner)
- Wales – Yr Hen Orsaf (Aberyswyth) (winner)
- Scotland – The Blacksmith’s Forge (Dalkeith) (winner)
- Northern Ireland – The Old Courthouse (Coleraine) (winner)

2006

Top Employer United Kingdom 2006
National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2006
- ‘best development programme in managed estates’ (finalist)
- ‘best training scheme run by institutions of future education, in partnership with the licensed trade’ (in partnership with Nottingham Trent University) (finalist)
Employers Forum on Age – sector leader recognition award
Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards ‘on trade pub company chain’ (winner)
BFFF Awards ‘best new accompaniment’ microwave super sweet mini cobs with butter (silver)
National Clean Air Award – The Draper’s Arms (Peterborough) (gold award)

2005

Top Employer United Kingdom 2005
Publican Awards 2005 ‘responsible drinks retailing award’ (winner)
Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards 2005 ‘on trade retailers – managed chain’ (shortlisted)
Management Today Awards ‘age positive employer champion’
Age Positive Marketing ‘age positive employer champion’
Loo of the Year Awards 2005 – overall corporate provider
Grocery Advertising and Marketing Industry Award 2005 (gold)
National Recycling Awards 2005 (finalist)
Menu Masters award ‘best kids’ menu’ (winner)

2004

Top Employer United Kingdom 2004
National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2004
‘best development programme in managed estates’ (winner)
‘supreme award for the best overall training programme’
The Publican Awards ‘pub company of the year’ (finalist)
The Communicator Crystal Award for Recruitment Advertising 2004 model management kit campaign
Grocery Advertising and Marketing Industry Award 2004 (gold)
Scottish Recruitment Advertising Awards 2004 best outdoor advertisement (winner)
MarCom Creative Recruitment Advertising Awards 2004 ‘This way up’ box campaign (winner)

2003

Top Employer United Kingdom 2003

2002

National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2002 ‘supreme award for the best overall training programme’
Publican Awards 2002 ‘pub company of the year’ (managed 100+ outlets) (finalist)
The Publican Pub Food Awards 2002 ‘branded pub chain of the year’ (winner)
Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2002 ‘best company’ (finalist)
Theme Bar and Restaurant Awards (southeast region) ‘best new branded operation’ Lloyds No.1 Bar (Watford) (winner)
Loo of the Year Awards 2002
- The Assembly Rooms (Epsom)
- The Ernest Willows (Cardiff)
- Lloyds No.1 Bar (Glasgow)

2001

National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2001
- ‘supreme award for the best overall training programme’ (winner)
- ‘best course to develop food/catering skills’ (highly commended)
- ‘best targeted training course designed to meet specific operational needs’ (highly commended)
Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2001
- ‘best concept’ (winner)
- ‘best company’ (finalist)
Ease Award for ease of access (pubs and restaurants category) 2001 (overall winner)
Golden Silence Award
The Pub Food Awards 2001 ‘branded pub chain of the year’ (winner)
Loo of the Year Awards 2001 (overall UK winner)

2000

National Innkeeping Training Awards (NITA) 2000
- ‘supreme award for the best overall training programme’ (winner)
- ‘best course designed to develop catering skills’ (winner)
Ease Award for ease of access (pubs and restaurants category) 2000 (highly commended)
Caterer and Hotel Keeper Awards Pub Industry Award 2000 Tim Martin, J D Wetherspoon (winner)
Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2000
- ‘best company’ (winner)
- ‘best concept’ (finalist)
Publican Awards 2000 ‘pub company of the year’
Management Today Awards 2000 ‘most admired drinks company’
The Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards 2000 pub industry award

1999

Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 1999 ‘best company’ (finalist)
Ease Award for ease of access (pubs and restaurants category) 1999 (winner)

1998

Ease Award for ease of access (pubs and restaurants category) 1998 (highly commended)
NatWest and Sunday Times Business Enterprise Award ‘in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the creation of wealth and employment in the UK economy’

1997

Evening Standard London Pub Guide 1997 – 12 pubs recommended

1996

Eros Award for one of the top 10 pubs in London 1996 The Coronet (Holloway)

1993

Publican Awards 1993 ‘independent pub chain of the year’ (highly commended)

1992

Publican Awards 1992 ‘entrepreneur of the year’ (winner)

No date

Management Today – Britain’s Most Admired companies (drinks category) – Winner [NO DATE]
Adaytum – Planning Leadership Award: Thought Leader [NO DATE]
Compassion in World Farming – Good Egg Award [NO DATE]
ALMR Twenty Years Awards – Winner: Innovator [NO DATE]

J D Wetherspoon’s awards and recognition

Drinks awards

Note: There are separate lists for property/design/heritage awards and for company awards.

The Good Beer Guide awards

Year	Number of pubs included	Pubs included (% of estate)	Variance (%) on previous year
2024	236	29	+4
2023	200	24	-1
2022	213	25	-3
2021	242	28	-1
2020	248	29	+1
2019	243	28	+4
2018	218	24	-5
2017	262	29	-3
2016	296	32	-2
2015	318	34	+2

CAMRA/real-ale awards