THREE Cotswold pubs have reached the finals of the national Publican Awards 2017, a national competition that rewards the ‘cream of the cream’ of the UK pub industry.

The pubs, operated by Brakspear, are shortlisted for the Best Accommodation Operator and Best New Pub or Bar titles, the winners of which will be announced in March.

The Publican Awards, run by leading industry magazine The Morning Advertiser, are open to pubs across the UK and are widely regarded as the ‘ones to win’.

Brakspear is shortlisted for five of its pubs with rooms including The George Townhouse in Shipston-on-Stour, The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold and The Sheep on Sheep Street, also in Stow, as well as two pubs in Stratford and Surrey. The Sheep is also a finalist for the Best New Pub award.

Editor of The Morning Advertiser Ed Bedington said: “We had record entries into the Publican Awards this year, so our judges had a difficult task in choosing the finalists from a very talented field.

“All the pubs that have reached the shortlist deserve to be very proud of their achievement and we wish them all good luck with the next stage of the judging, and look forward to announcing the winners in March.”

Winners of the Publican Awards 2017 will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on March 14, to be attended by guests from across the pub industry.

Visit publicanawards.co.uk for more information.