Royal Oak Pub Scoops Overall Winner at Guildford Best Bar None Awards

Published on: 16 Oct, 2024
Updated on: 16 Oct, 2024

Guildford’s Best Bar None Awards, hosted by Experience Guildford, returned on Wednesday, October 9, with the Royal Oak pub (Trinity Churchyard) as the overall winner, beating off 39 other licenced venues. They will represent the town in the national Annual Best Bar None Awards held at the House of Lords early next year.

The Royal Oak, Overall Winners of the 2024 Best Bar None Award, (from the left) Pete Lambert (Experience Guildford), Steven Nye (Royal Oak), Lisa Simpson (Royal Oak), GBC Mayor Sallie Barker presenting the award and Russell Scobbie (GM Royal Oak).

Now in its 11th year, the award celebrates best practice within Guildford’s licensed trade, showcasing the participating venue’s commitment to creating safe and welcoming environments for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The Royal Oak licensee, Russell Scobbie, expressed his pride in winning, saying: “This was completely unexpected but it is really pleasing to know that through good working practice, we have gained this award and been recognised as overall winner of the scheme.”

Emma White won the Outstanding Contribution to the Evening and Late Night Economy Award. From the left, Pete Lambert (EG), Emma White (Experience Guildford Town Safety and Liaison Officer) with the award presented by Sophie Jordan (National Association of Business).

Joanna Grimshaw, Head of Anti-Social Behaviour at Surrey Police, said, “These awards are so important to embed, encourage, and share good practice, but more importantly, they recognise the difference partnership working can make to our communities.”

Most Improved Award went to Tortilla. From the left, Pete Lambert (EG), Liz Reyes (Tortilla) and, presenting the award, Amanda Masters (Experience Guildford).

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker, said: “The effects of Best Bar None have helped to make our evening and late-night economy safer, and we are extremely proud of the venues and partner organisations involved in delivering this, and the fact that Guildford was honoured last February as Best Town at the National Best Bar None Awards.”

Pete Lambert, Town Safety and Venue Liaison Manager at Experience Guildford, the town’s local Business Improvement District, said: “Thank you to all the town’s operators and partners that work collaboratively with us on the scheme, including Guildford Borough Council, Guildford Pubwatch, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue, along with community charity groups such as Street Angels.

“Huge thanks also to The Stoke for hosting the event and Hog’s Back Brewery for sponsoring our welcome drinks on the night.”

The Stoke were winners of the Best Pub National. From the left: Pete Lambert (EG), Molly White (The Stoke), Katie Earles (GM The Stoke), Charlie Gray (The Stoke) and presenting the award, Danny Nixon (Wetherspoons / Pubwatch Deputy Chair).

A full list of 2024 Winners were as follows:

Best Restaurant Independent – Positano and Tattam’s

Best Restaurant National – The March Hare, Heartwood Inns

Food on the Go – Tortilla

Best Pub Independent – The Royal Oak

Best Pub National – The Stoke, Greene King

Best Entertainment Venue Small – The Holroyd

Best Entertainment Venue Large – G Live

Best Bar Independent – Guildford Jubilee Social Club

Best Bar National – The Rodboro Buildings, JD Wetherspoons

Best Late Night Small – The Alley Bar

Best Late Night Large – Popworld