The winners of the Matthew Clark Community Pub Hero Awards were announced at the awards ceremony in the House of Commons on Tuesday 5 March. The event brought together some of the UK’s most dedicated publicans and community champions. Now in its sixth year, the award held in partnership with Matthew Clark and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group recognised the incredible contributions of 13 pubs and one outstanding community regular who have gone above and beyond to support their local areas.
With nearly 700 entries submitted by both publicans and MPs, this year’s winners reflect the remarkable impact that pubs continue to have on society. Whether through fundraising, grassroots sport, sustainability initiatives, or vital community support, these pubs are the heartbeat of their communities.
The Royal Oak Takes Home the Top Honour
The night’s highest accolade, the Outstanding Contribution Award, was presented to The Royal Oak in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton. This Marston’s pub, which also claimed the title of Community Fundraising Hero – England, has made an extraordinary impact by raising funds to purchase and maintain a blood bike, providing a lifeline to the NHS. Operating 24/7, this service has already completed 6,000 NHS jobs, with three pub regulars now trained as volunteer riders.
Reflecting on their double win, The Royal Oak team said:
“We thought we had a chance of winning the fundraising award, and we were chuffed when we did. But to then receive the Outstanding Contribution award was absolutely overwhelming. Our charity work is a legacy we want to leave behind.”
Community Regular Hero: A Decade-Long Fight to Save a Pub
Gerry McMahon, of the Fadmoor Community Pub, was honoured as the UK Community Regular Hero for his unwavering determination to save his local pub from closure. Over ten years, he secured £300,000 in funding, helped achieve Asset of Community Value status, and transformed the pub into a thriving village hub.
“Thanks to Kevin Hollinrake MP for his nomination, and to all the councillors, volunteers, and our hardworking committee. Their dedication, even when our pub was closed, has made this possible.” – Gerry McMahon
(📽 Watch Gerry receiving his award alongside his local MP Kevin Hollinrake.)
Pubs Championing Sustainability, Sport, and Community Support
The awards also shone a spotlight on pubs making a difference in other vital areas:
🏆 Sustainability Hero: The George, Castleton (Wells & Co.) – Recognised for its kitchen garden, solar-powered energy, and innovative kiln repurposing glass waste, alongside a Community Food Swap tackling food waste and Greedy George, an Ecobot50 converting food scraps into soil-enriching compost.
🏆 Community Sport Hero: The Pig & Whistle, Merton Road, London (Punch Pubs & Co.) – A driving force in grassroots sports, the pub has funded, sponsored, and supported local teams, including ladies’ netball, rugby, and junior training camps, helping players progress to elite levels.
🏆 Community Support Hero: Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen – Winning for Northern Ireland for the second consecutive year, thanks to its widely praised social Christmas advert, which captured hearts across the country.
🏆 Life-Saving Initiative: The Polwarth Tavern, Edinburgh – Honoured for installing a community defibrillator in memory of its late co-owner, demonstrating how pubs can provide life-saving resources.
Full List of Winners
Community Support Hero
🏅 England – Lock & Quay, Liverpool
🏅 Scotland – The Polwarth Tavern, Edinburgh
🏅 Wales – The George & Dragon, Abergele
🏅 Northern Ireland – Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen
Community Fundraising Hero
🏅 England – The Royal Oak, Wolverhampton
🏅 Scotland – Westerton Arms
🏅 Wales – King’s Head Inn, Llangennith
🏅 Northern Ireland – The Halfway House Country Pub
Community Sport Hero
🏅 England – The Pig & Whistle, Merton Road, London
🏅 Scotland – The Victoria Inn, East Lothian
🏅 Wales – Riverside Sports Bar, Newport
Pubs: More Than Just a Pint
The Community Pub Hero Awards highlight how pubs are far more than places to socialise over a drink – they are lifelines for their communities. From funding life-saving equipment to keeping grassroots sports alive and leading the way in sustainability, these pubs exemplify the true spirit of giving back.
Mary McCarron of Matthew Clark, the event’s main sponsor, summed it up perfectly:
“Pubs are more than just places to drink, they are vital hubs that bring people together, support charities and drive social change. This year’s winners showcase the very best of what our industry has to offer.”
At PubAid, we are proud to champion these outstanding pubs and ensure their contributions do not go unnoticed. Want to learn more about how pubs are changing lives and keeping communities together? Visit www.pubaid.co.uk to explore the incredible work being done by pubs across the UK.
📸 Digital images and videos from the event are available here.
Do you know a pub making a difference? Our Positive PUBlicity Hub is the perfect place for them to tell their story – find out more here.
Thank you to our sponsor Matthew Clark, with you the awards would not be possible. Thank you to our event partner the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group and thank you to the PubAid Supporters who fund PubAid to ensure we remain the standalone positive voice for Pubs in the UK.
If you are a pub company or industry supplier who would like to support PubAid – you can find out more here.
