The top movers and shakers of the UK drinks industry gathered last night in London to hear the results of the Imbibe Personality of the Year Awards 2018.

The nominees were voted for by Imbibe magazine’s readers in record-breaking numbers and the shortlist included the highest calibre of UK on-trade professionals.

Tim Bird, co-founder of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars picked up the award for Pub Personality of the Year.

Imbibe editor, Chris Losh, commented:  ‘Tim has worked in the industry for over 35 years, and since he’s saved many pubs from closure in that time, it’s safe to say the UK’s pub scene would not have been the same without him.

‘He’s proved himself amazing at running everything from big pub groups to small independents, and, for the last seven years, his own group of country pubs and Inns. This passion for the industry is exactly what Imbibe Magazine is all about’.

Judges for the competition included restaurateur George Bergier, the Connaught Bar’s Ago Perrone, Michelin-starred chef Adam Byatt, Northcote’s Craig Bancroft, Gin Journey’s Leon Dalloway, Beer Belle Annabel Smith, Mixology Group’s Myles Cunliffe and the Imbibe editorial team.

Imbibe launched the Personality of the Year Awards in 2011 and previous winners have included Heston Blumenthal, Ronan Sayburn MS, Thinking Drinkers, Alex Kratena, Christine Parkinson, Xavier Rousset MS, Dee Davies, Lyndon Higginson, Stuart McCluskey, Salvatore Calabrese, Laura Rhys MS, Thomas Decan, the Galvin Brothers and Jake Burger, as well as many other on-trade professionals.

The 2018 awards were presented on Monday 12th February at Mahiki Kensington.

Launched in March 2007, Imbibe magazine has rapidly become the UK’s leading magazine for on-trade drinks professionals working in premium UK establishments. Imbibe is a quarterly magazine, with more than 20,000 drinks buyers and servers in the UK receiving a copy. Copies are available upon request.

Imbibe Magazine is the UK’s leading drinks magazine and tonight at their annual awards in London our owner Tim was chosen as ‘Pub Personality of the Year 2018’.

Tim was up against some of the pub industry’s top talent on the night, but the judges not only looked at Tim’s vast experience in the industry but particularly the success of Cheshire Cat Pubs and Bars, Tim’s company that he operates with his wife and business partner Mary McLaughlin. They have taken pubs that were either closed or close to closure and through their restoration have created one of the best small pub companies in the UK!

On winning this prestigious award, Tim thanked the team at Cheshire Cat…..”I have had many proud moments in my career but nothing has made me prouder than the achievement of our pubs. Starting our own business was the best thing we have ever done and tonight I share this award with Mary and the Cheshire Cat team! I would like to thank Imbibe Magazine for giving me one of the proudest moments in my career! I look forward to celebrating with the team!”

A MOBBERLEY hotel has been named as one of the best in the UK as part of an annual Sunday Times list celebrating the finest places to stay.

The Roebuck Inn is one of just 10 north west inclusions in this year’s Sunday Times Travel ‘Best Places to Stay: 100 great British hotels’ edition.

Read full article here

The Church Inn, in Mobberley, has won the coveted title of Cheshire Life Magazine’s Dining Pub of the Year. The award, presented at Carden Park Hotel, saw the team pip their sister pub The Cholmondeley Arms in the final of the Cheshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2017.

The Church Inn scooped this year’s title after judges visited the pub and were blown away by the quality and taste of the food as well as the ambience in which it is served. The food, described as Modern British, includes a selection of exceptional seasonal specials as well as the favourite dishes you would expect from a quintessentially English village pub. All dishes are regularly changed to match what’s in season and available from local producers.

SIMON PROUDLY HOLDS YET ANOTHER AWARD WITH ASST.

SIMON WITH A FEW MEMBERS OF THE TEAM STANDING PROUD WITH THE AWARD

The kitchen also prepares a special tasting menu for Saturday evenings and for private diners in the pub’s George Mallory dining room, a room that pays homage to the local villager and famous mountaineer who died on Everest in 1924. There is also an extensive wine list that includes 80 different wines, 15 of which are available by the glass, that have been carefully selected to provide a balance of ‘old’ and ‘new’ world wines.

Tim Bird, owner of the Church Inn comments; “It’s fantastic to be recognized in this way and for the team to rewarded for all the hard work they put in, day in day out. We have sought to develop dishes to suit each occasion whether it be a light lunch or a special supper and we’re also proud to celebrate this recognition with all our local producers.

The Church Inn is one of seven country pubs (five in Cheshire, one in Dorset and one in Staffordshire) that are owned and operated by Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin’s Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars group. The group has had an extraordinarily successful year receiving a flurry of awards including; Best Casual Dining Pub, Best Food Offer in the UK, Sawday’s Favourite Newcomer, Pub & Bar’s Best Pub in the North West as well as being recognised in the Northern Bar and Restaurants Top 50 Companies.

From left Leanne manager of the Fitzherbert Arms holding the ‘Best Pub in Staffordshire’ certificate with Tom Head chef of the Cholmondeley Arms who has the ‘Best Pub in the Northwest’ plaque next to Lucy, deputy manager of the Fitzherbert Arms and Tom’s partner helping hold the certificate for the Cholmondeley Arms and Cholmondeley Arms manager Tim with yet another certificate for ‘Best Pub in the Northwest!’

Here in London at the BAFTA theatre In Piccadilly on 23rd May 2017 the Cholmondeley Arms was announced as the best pub in the Northwest!

Beating all Northwest county winners to the title! Having won the Cheshire County prize three weeks ago….London called….to see if the Regional award could be won…and the Cholmondeley Arms has won it!!

So officially best Pub in the Northwest meaning Tim Bird and Mary Mclaughlin have now had two pubs win this prestigious award in two years….the Church Inn in Mobberley winning last year!

Well done to Cholmondeley Arms manager Tim and Deputy Fliss, Head Chef Tom and the team! A great win!

The 2017 Pub and Bar Magazine Awards are back and the judges have chosen the best Pubs and Bars in their respective counties. We are delighted to announce our Fitzherbert Arms has been chosen as the best pub in the county of Staffordshire and our Cholmondeley Arms has been chosen as the best pub in Cheshire! So we have a double to cheer about!

The awards are being presented at BAFTA in Piccadilly on 23rd May. At this event the best in the region will be decided…The Fitzherbert Arms is in the West Midlands final and the Cholmondeley Arms is in the Northwest final. Then one of the regional winners will win best pub in the U.K.!! Last year our sister Pub the Church Inn in Mobberley was voted best pub in the U.K. at the awards so it’s truly amazing to be amongst the best again! We are very excited for the entire team and our customers who have all played a part in us achieving such a great honour! We will keep you posted once the 23rd is over!

The Roebuck Inn in Mobberley has been chosen by Alistair Sawday as his ‘Favourite Newcomer’ for 2017 within his prestigious Sawday’s Pubs & Inns Guide of England & Wales just as the Roebuck Inn celebrates being open a year.

The Roebuck Inn, located in the picturesque village of Mobberley, re-opened in May last year after a period of significant restoration work that saw the once famous Grade II listed Inn wonderfully restored into a ‘rustic country inn’ with six boutique bedrooms and a village bar and bistro with tiered gardens and terraces.

Mary Mclaughlin, co-owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars who own the Roebuck Inn, comments; “The Roebuck Inn has been an instant hit with all those that have visited it. We love the Alistair Sawday’s guide and to be voted as Favourite Newcomer means so much to us and the Roebuck Inn team.

Our collection of pubs and inns each have their own distinct character and feel. With the Roebuck, we have tried to offer something a little different for our guests to enjoy with classic bistro food and really sumptuous rooms.”

The judges were impressed with the fantastic atmosphere created at the Roebuck coupled with a creative drinks list, tasty food and beautiful rooms. This major refurbishment has created a stylish, welcoming and relaxing space, with the interior finishes sympathetic to the rural charm of the grade II listed building.

Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin operate seven country pubs, five in Cheshire, one in Dorset and one in Staffordshire and have won numerous awards for restoring pubs of great heritage and character. Their award portfolio includes Publican Award for ‘Best Food Act’ in the UK 2017 and ‘Best Pub Group’ from the Good Pub Guide 2017 and their Cholmondeley Arms, on Lord Cholmondeley’s estate, has just been chosen as the Best Pub in Cheshire by Pub and Bar Magazine.

For further information on The Roebuck Inn or any of the other Cheshire Cat Pubs, please visit www.cheshirecatpubsandbars.co.uk

By The MA, 16-Mar-2017

Pioneering food couple Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin have used their vast experience in the foodservice sector to build their growing fleet of seven food-led pubs. Read More

Tonight at a glittering dinner in Manchester the Roebuck Inn scooped the Best Premium Casual Restaurant in South Manchester! This is fantastic recognition of the work that has gone in to bringing the Roebuck Inn back to life after a three year closure!

Charlie our Bistro manager collected the award supported by Jake (who helped open the Roebuck Inn back in May last year) and Barry from the Bulls Head as well as Simon from the Church Inn. All the Mobberley pubs were up for different awards but it was the Roebuck Inns turn this year beating some very worthy finalists! Simon said he was very proud of Charlie who started as an Assistant Manager with Simon and helped the Church Inn win Best Pub at the same awards in 2015!

Well done to all the Mobberley businesses and a very special well done to Charlie and the Roebuck Inn team who deserve this great recognition!

Awards

Winner the ‘Eat, Sleep and Drink Awards’ Best Premium Casual Dining Restaurant in South Manchester/Cheshire 2017

The ones we beat

Another one

Front left Jake, Charlie....with the trophy, Simon from the Church Inn and Barry from the Bulls Head. Another great night for Mobberley!!

The master...(Simon) with his young apprentice Charlie.....very proud indeed

Winners!!

Despite being a rather enviable task, selecting the best pub in the UK is not easy, I assure you. Readers will know and appreciate the level of business practice and hospitality that we showcase in every issue of Pub & Bar, so identifying one single outlet and saying “this is the best” felt nigh on impossible.

Read full article here on www.pubandbar.com