Pub award winners report more trade, and a lift for their teams

Winning at the Great British Pub Awards has brought more customers and a morale boost, The Morning Advertiser reports. The ceremony was held in Leeds on 23 September.

The numbers: the Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman's Rest, Best Pub for Food, says covers have risen 13.5% compared with the same period last year. That is one pub's own figure, not an industry average.

What winners describe: the Tamworth Tap, which took Best Pub for Beer and Great British Pub of the Year, says people have travelled long distances to visit, alongside regulars proud of the win. The Plough Inn Prestbury, Best Pub for Families, reports new faces and regulars congratulating the team.

The less obvious gain: the owner of the Plough says entering gave a chance to look at the business from the outside and see what to improve. Several winners also said it lifted their teams.

For your site: entries return next year. Start collecting your own evidence now, such as review scores, team stories and community work, so the entry is not a scramble.