Punch Taverns has launched the fourth national Shine awards in a bid to find and reward pubs creating great customer experiences.

Nominations are now being invited for outstanding businesses within Punch’s 7,300-strong leasehold estate over four award categories: Best Food Experience, Drinks Experience, Community Experience and Customer Experience. 

The awards programme will run across all of Punch’s 12 trading regions.  Each category is being judged by mystery customer visits and shortlisted entries will receive a final assessment from their regional operations director (ROD).

A total of 48 winners will be announced at regional awards lunches across the country, with each winning pub receiving a trophy and a £500 gift experience voucher. 

RODs will also single out one Regional Champion to receive a special invitation to a gala celebration dinner at Hampton Court Palace next spring.

Nicola Highton, Punch’s head of communications, said: “We have tried to make this year’s awards bigger and more accessible to retailers than ever before.

“Entering is quick and simple and for the first time can be done online.  We are also putting more emphasis on the regional finals, which according to our retailers is the part of the competition they value the most.”

Last year’s Shine awards attracted 1,200 entries and was eventually won by Colin and Emma Spry from Starz, an American themed bar, cocktail lounge and restaurant in Exeter.

Colin said: “The awards are an opportunity to get recognition for something that you put your life and heart into.  When we were nominated it was a great feeling and gave our team a real boost.”

Shine awards nominations are welcome from Punch retailers, their staff, customers or business relationship manager.   

Nicola Highton added: “We expect the competition to be extremely tough this year as there is a wealth of entrepreneurial talent out there in our estate.

“This is our opportunity to recognise that talent, showcase our finest pubs and say ‘thank you’ to those individuals making a genuine difference to the communities in which they operate.”

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For further information please contact Floyd Jebson or Oliver Du Croz at Seal Communications on 0121 200 0780.