A WIRRAL pub has beaten over 200 others across the country to secure a duo of accolades at the latest Thwaites Hospitality Awards.

Following a rigorous judging process, which ranged from interviews to mystery pub visits, The Shippons Inn in Irby scooped two highly coveted titles – ‘Pub of the Year’ and ‘Best Business Builder’. 

Hosted by Lancashire-based, family-owned hospitality company, Daniel Thwaites, the Spanish-themed awards ceremony saw 145 people gather at the four-star Cottons Hotel and Spa in Knutsford, with guests treated to a sangria reception, followed by a three-course meal and an evening of entertainment.

The annual Thwaites Hospitality Awards recognises excellence across the company’s portfolio of over 200 pubs, with 205 operators battling it out to scoop honours across just 12 winning categories including ‘Pub of the Year’ and ‘Best Newcomer’, as well as an accolade crowning the ‘Best Pint’.

Crowned ‘Pub of the Year’ , the Irby-based pub was praised by judges for its “fantastic hospitality, delicious homecooked food, excellent service and its real connection with the local community.”

Awarded ‘Best Business Builder’, the judges commended its operator’s “passion, enthusiasm and willingness to adapt and evolve the pubs and its offering”.

Regarding the triumph, Steve and Laura Edmunds, tenants at The Shippons Inn, said: “We truly couldn’t believe it when they announced us as Pub of the Year. We have been invited to these awards for over 10 years now and to win this accolade is absolutely amazing.”

“We are also delighted to have won the award for Best Business Builder as it celebrates the hard work we have invested into our business over the past year. We’d like to thank all our fantastic team and loyal customers for their continued support.”

Andrew Buchanan, director of pubs and brewing at Daniel Thwaites, said: “We’ve always taken great pride in our pubs and the teams that are the driving force behind them, so to be able to come together and celebrate their achievements is fantastic.

“This year the calibre of entrants has been extremely high and despite facing various challenges over the past few years, all of our winners and finalists have done a tremendous job of showcasing their resilience and dedication to hospitality excellence.”

Headline sponsors for the night were Cruzcampo (Heineken UK) and Thwaites Brewery, while the awards ceremony was also made possible thanks to other sponsors including Stockchek, Parkinson Signs, Coca-Cola, OT Group, D&M Creative, Diageo, Lloyds Bank, Sky, Total Food Service and Cask Marque.