While last month’s General Election threatened to overshadow the competition, the Parliamentary Pub of the Year Award has been revived to welcome in the new year in style.
This will be the second annual award which, culminating in a national final at the House of Commons, offers all MPs the opportunity to nominate their constituency’s favourite pub.
January can be tough for pubs and bars, with many reporting reduced sales in the aftermath of Christmas and New Year celebrations. There are now around 210 fewer pubs in Birmingham than there were in 2001. However, latest figures show that the number of small pubs and bars in the UK has increased for the first time in more than 15 years. (1) The Parliamentary Pub of the Year Award allows MPs to turn the spotlight on those pubs that play a vital role in their community.
Steve McCabe MP will be nominating the British Oak as the entrant from Birmingham, Selly Oak. The main criteria for nomination is a pub that is great at what they do; this can include the range of beer or food provided, the dedication to serving the local community or a specialism in music or sports.
Steve McCabe said:
“I am pleased that the Parliamentary Pub of the Year awards will still take place after being delayed by the General Election. I am proud to have nominated the British Oak, whose fantastic entertainment, great menu and the fact that they regularly hire out rooms free of charge for community events makes the pub a real asset to the community and a worthy candidate for Parliamentary Pub of the Year.”
“January is often a difficult time for the hospitality sector due to the post-Christmas lull and I can’t think of a better time to celebrate pubs that play a vital role in our communities all-year round”
Notes
(1) Economies of ale: changes in the UK pubs and bars sector, 2001 to 2019, https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/articles/economiesofalesmallpubscloseaschainsfocusonbigbars/changesintheukpubsandbarssector2001to2019
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