Faversham brewer Shepherd Neame has scooped a top award at an event described as “the Oscars for the hospitality industry”.

The firm was named Best Partnership Pub Company (up to 500 sites) at the Publican Awards held in London.

More than 1,500 guests attended the ceremony celebrating the pub industry at Evolution London in Battersea Park.

Shepherd Neame was also shortlisted in the Best New Site category for its recent refurbishment of the Duke of Cumberland pub in Whitstable.

Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the awards, said: “These awards are the Oscars for the hospitality trade and are the ones to win for all operators in the sector. The judging process is rigorous and fair and we put all our finalists through their paces before picking out our final winners.

“All of the companies shortlisted in the awards are outstanding businesses, so to come out ahead is a fantastic achievement and one to be proud of.”

Licensee Clive Price, managing director of Barons Pub Company, which runs two of Shepherd Neame’s Surrey sites – The Cricketers in Woking and the Crown and Cushion in Camberley - was also named Best Pub Employer (up to 500 employees) at the awards, for a third year in a row.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “We previously won the Publican Award for Best Tenanted and Leased Pub Company back in 2020, so to be honoured again within four years is just fantastic.

“When it comes to running a pub with Shepherd Neame, we don’t believe one size fits all. Just as our pubs have their own individual character, we know that every one of our partners has their own unique vision for their business. Our role is to offer all the support we can to help them achieve their individual goals and business ambitions.”