Congratulations to George, Louise and all the staff at the Tamworth Tap for their back-to-back National Pub of the Year title. 

The Tamworth Tap should be incredibly proud of this feat as it is a remarkable achievement. The pub encapsulates everything CAMRA aims to promote and protect, and each member of the team deserves the recognition. 
 
CAMRA has criteria for judging the winner and, as awards director, I am proud of how they are used to do the impossible and select the best pub in Great Britain. Judges look at how the pub combines the quality and range of beer with an inclusive welcome, CAMRA’s campaigning aims and being an integral part of the community – as well as the exclusive “X factor” that makes you want to stay longer or visit again. 

Judges are selected from across the Campaign and meet a range of characteristics set out in our policy. They cannot judge different rounds in the same year, nor be a judge two years in a row, visits have to take place at different times, and cannot be discussed until scores are submitted so winners have impressed multiple people on different occasions. 

I've worked in hospitality on and off for best part of quarter of a century and the thing I respect most about George and Louise is their treatment of their team. It's not an easy industry and it's unfairly seen as a stop gap or secondary job, so staff experience is often poor. At the Tamworth Tap I can see how the team is valued and celebrated and that comes across in the pride staff members show in their work. I have seen this reflected in several finalists in my time as awards director and those are the venues I look forward to returning to. 
 
It makes good business sense to look after the people who set the tone for your organisation. The judges' comments about the win are unanimous in praising the team and was likely the difference between winning and being runner up. 

What I want people to take away from this is more than the Tap being a great pub, it is that it would not be a great pub without happy and motivated staff. 

If you want to find out more about the National Pub of the Year and previous winners, take a look on the CAMRA website here: Pub of the Year - CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale 

Finally, it’s so easy to get involved with the Pub of the Year competition. In fact, right now CAMRA branches are starting the judging process to find next year’s winner. If you’re interested, look up the details of your local branch selection process and volunteer to help out. 

Pictured, from left, CAMRA national chairman Nik Antona, George and Louise Greenaway, Laura Emson.