A Hornsey pub that is right at the heart of its local community has been rewarded with an ‘Oscar of the pub industry’.
 
The Three Compasses in Hornsey, which used to be nicknamed the ‘3 customers’, has made such an impact on its local area that it was crowned ‘Community Pub of the Year’ at the 2008 Publican Awards 2008 on 18th March.

The licensees of the Punch Taverns’ pub, brother and sister, Nigel and Alison Oxford and colleague Mike Smith, who have run the pub since 2004, were presented with their award by celebrity guest presenters Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins from the Friday Night Project at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel, London.

The award is another great accolade for the pub who scooped the Morning Advertiser’s ‘Community Pub of the Year’ in 2006, were a Punch Taverns Shine Awards finalist and Assistant Manager Dina Joaquim was also a finalist in the Publican’s ‘Bartender of the Year’ category.

Nigel explains why they won the award: “We are passionate about supporting activities in the community so set up the ‘Hornsey Traders and Stakeholders Association’ made up of local shops, schools, churches, counsellors and residents associations.  The pub hosts regular meetings for the different groups who get together to discuss improving life and supporting activity in Hornsey. “

The group have supported activities included the Hornsey Carnival, a Summer Fete and the first Christmas Fayre in the area. Nigel explains: “Pubs and churches working together is unique but it works - we were able to organise a lantern procession with the local school children.”

The pub – which also supports a range of fundraising events for causes such as Macmillan Nurses, and Harringay Mencap – is also home to the Liberal Democrats constituency office of local MP Lynne Featherstone. 

Commenting on their win Nigel said: “We were absolutely thrilled to win Community Pub of the Year and delighted with Dina being amongst the top six bartenders in the country. It’s the icing on the cake and affirms that all our team’s hard work is worthwhile. We had a fantastic night celebrating at the Grosvenor.”

Punch’s regional operations director for London, Ian Ronayne added: “This pub is exceptional, a real asset to its local community and that is down to the hard work of the licensees who work tirelessly to keep activity in Hornsey thriving.  Congratulations to all of the team!”

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