The awards, organised by leading trade title The Morning Advertiser, celebrate the best in the business and culminate in an outstanding night at Battersea Evolution, London, bringing together the leading pub and bar operators from across the UK.
It was another great night in London at our Industry ‘Oscars’ the Publican Awards 2026. The awards, with 1500 guests in attendance, saw our boutique pub company Cheshire Cat Pubs and Bars up for Best Drinks Act in the UK, an award we have won back-to-back in 2024 and 2025. So, the pressure was on to see whether we could do the hat-trick and win this prestigious award for a record breaking third time in a row. Having gone through a gruelling judging process it was a nervous affair waiting for the winner to be announced by no other than Rylan, who was compare for the evening.
As the drums rolled Cheshire Cat was announced as the winner again. Mary and Tim accepted the award on behalf of the team who clearly play the most important part in winning such a high-profile award. Back in 2016 we won our first Publican Award for….yes…Best Drinks Act…so on the 10th Anniversary of this win, we did it again to prove how well we have evolved but also how consistent we have been in our approach to all things drink. Thank you to all the team for their great efforts and to our loyal customers and guests for supporting our pubs with such loyalty. On the night we were also a Finalist in the ‘Best Accommodation Act in the UK’ 2026/27 but just missed out.
The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington said: “Big congratulations to all our finalists and winners tonight, particularly Cheshire Cat for pulling off an impressive treble on Best Drinks.
“These awards celebrate the best in the business and recognise operators that are performing at the very top of their game. The pub and bar sector, and the wider hospitality industry, is facing some unprecedented challenges, particularly in vastly increased taxation, but it is good to step back and recognise some of the amazing work that is going on.
“These awards show that despite the challenges everyone is facing, standards are not being allowed to slip and the sector remains committed to operating at the highest possible levels.”
On Tuesday 10th March our owners Tim and Mary headed off into Manchester to the Northern Restaurant and Bar Show (NRB). Tim was a keynote panellist at the event, talking about the success of ‘No and Low’ alcoholic drinks within Cheshire Cat. Then later in the day our company was recognised for the 10th time in a row in the Kuits/NRB Top 50 Northern Hospitality businesses. But there was a surprise in store as our company was also awarded one of the prestigious ‘NRB High Achievement Awards’ for 2026 recognising our team’s efforts over the years. Three awards are presented on the day and Mark Birtshall the 3 Michelin star head chef of Moor Hall and the team behind Nell’s Pizzas in Manchester both sharing the stage with Tim and Mary.
Tim said “we are so delighted with this award. It is an honour to have been in the Top 50 Northern Hospitality businesses for 10 years in a row, but to be recognised with a ‘High Achievement Award’ is the icing on the cake and great testament to our wonderful team’s hard work and dedication. This is their award and recognises their tremendous efforts over the years. We are a big family really and together we will toast this award and ensure we remain consistent in everything we do for our guests and customers.
What a beautiful sunny day we had for our legendary Car Treasure Hunt at the Bulls Head. We also had a record number of cars with 17 (yes seventeen!) teams arriving to give the Treasure Hunt a good go.
The Treasure Hunters collected their packs with quiz questions and the hunt clues, before heading off into the lanes heading in the direction of our sister pub the Three Greyhounds Inn in Allostock and then returning to Mobberley via Lower Peover and Knutsford. Thank you to everyone who took part. We all hope you all enjoyed the day. The 17 teams competed very well for the title of Bulls Head Treasure Hunt Champions! Everyone enjoyed the drive out for 40 clues, as well as the random 20 quiz questions.
This is of course, the time when the 3p Car Club and the Goodfellows Car Club, both go ‘head-to-head’ to be treasure Hunt champions depending on which car gets first place! In third place, winning a £30 Gift Card for the Bulls Head were the Murphy’s Law Team in their Porsche 911. In second place, picking up a £50 Gift Card for the Bulls Head, were last year’s third placed team called Wide Eyed and Clueless in their Abarth 695! Well done all.
The Winners and 2025 14th anniversary Champions were the team called The Two H’s. This is the second time the Two H’s have won the Bulls Head Treasure Hunt, having won back in 2022!! A massive well done to Elaine and Sue, in their Skoda Citigo, who have won a £200 Gift Card to use in all our pubs plus some goodies, all kindly supplied by our treasure hunt sponsors Lucky Saint. The Two H’s have levelled the Famous Scooby Do’s who have also won twice but still out their with three victories are the Collins Girls.
Some nibbles were served up by Head Chef Andy, with our compliments, as a reward to the competing team’s endeavours and we raised a total of £190 for the Air Ambulance and this was very kindly doubled by one of our teams in recognition of the charity and our endeavours so £380 was the final total! Thank you again everyone!
Since the very first Bully Treasure Hunt, way back in 2011, the hunt has always been about the rivalry between the 3P (Porsche Pub and Pint) Club and the Good Fellows Car Club and this year the trophy once again went to the Good Fellows with The Two H’s making it 7-7 after 14 years…so nicely poised for next year.
Thank you again to all our enthusiastic competitors, it was great fun seeing everyone and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026.
We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Lucky Saint for helping us put up the most marvellous prizes for the Treasure Hunt.
See you again next year!
