Community Pub of the Year John Smith’s Great British Pub Awards.

Community Pub of the Year The Chandos Arms was celebrating after being named the best community pub in the country in the John Smith’s Great British Pub Awards. The awards, which celebrate the best pub throughout the UK, took place at the Park Lane Hilton, London, on 7 September and saw The Chandos beat off strong competition from rival operators.

Based in Collindale, North London, operators Emily and Are Kolltveit have taken a run down back street boozer and created a haven which has helped unite the surrounding, fractured community. OPERATORS COMMENTS IN HERE: Ed Bedington, editor of pub trade magazine The Morning Advertiser, said: “These awards celebrate everything that is so great about the Great British Pub, which is an institution the entire country should be proud of. “I’m delighted to be able to announce that The Chandos Arms has won the title of Community Pub of the Year. This is a pub that clearly stood out against a very competitive field and its recognition is much deserved.” Ifeoma Dozie, brand director for John Smith’s says: “

Huge congratulations to The Chandos for winning the Community Pub of the Year! We are so lucky in this country to have an abundance of pubs - nowhere else in the world has pubs like us Brits. “Pubs are central to all our lives – they’re the place where memories are made, from first dates, to birthday nights out, to great evenings with mates. They are so central to every village, town and city in the UK and the people that run them are pillars of their communities. Pubs are the places where people come together whether it’s for a pub quiz, weekly karaoke, live local bands, stand-up comedy, or just to simply enjoy a refreshing pint. “The raft of extraordinary pubs in this country is a testament to the hard work of licensees up and down the country – so well done to not only the winner, but to every pub that made the shortlist.” The Great British Pub Awards have been running for 17 years and saw more than 1,000 pubs in the running for titles across 17 different categories, ranging from Best Food Pub to Best Freehouse. All 17 category winners then go head to head to see which pub will be crowned the John Smith’s Great British Pub of the Year, which this year saw the Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom, Lancashire, take the title. Bedington added: “Pub are at the heart of the community across the UK and it’s a real honour to be able to celebrate some of the great sites and the landlords that run them, all