Britain's best pub named - but landlord warns it's 'feeling the pinch'

The landlord of Britain’s best pub is “over the moon” after winning the industry’s Oscar.

The Tamworth Tap in the Staffordshire town has been crowned Great British Pub of the Year 2026 in awards organised by trade publication The Morning Advertiser.

The prestigious gong adds to a growing list of accolades for the pub, which only opened in 2017 in a former shop in the shadow of the town’s castle. It has also won the Campaign for Real Ale’s National Pub of the Year for a record third time - and is in the running again this year .

Landlord George Greenaway, who started the pub with wife Louise, said of the latest prize: “It is the Oscars for the industry, so we are over the moon.”

The vibrant microbrewery taphouse was also named this year’s Best Beer Pub. Judges praised its range of 12 cask ales, 20 keg lines, a strong bottled and canned selection, plus a premium wine list. It was also singled out for hosting numerous community events, including a craft club and a men’s faith group.

Ed Bedington, editor at The Morning Advertiser and head judge at the awards, now in its 27th year, said: “At a time when running a pub is more challenging than ever, it is hugely important that we celebrate the people and businesses continuing to invest, innovate and create places that matter to their customers and communities.”

The Tamworth Tap’s success is in sharp contrast to a crisis elsewhere is the sector, which soaring costs and changing customer habits fuelling thousands of pub closures over recent years.

The Mirror has long championed the industry’s cause with its Your Pub Needs You campaign .

Asked about his secret, Mr Greenaway said: “It’s about constantly developing. You can’t stand still or rest on your laurels. It is minute changes that make a huge difference overall.” Those changes include the layout, and making the interior feel nostalgic, even though it has been a pub for less than a decade.

Its popularity is also built on word of mouth and glowing customer reviews.

Yet despite all its accolades, Mr Greenaway admits business is still a battle because of a wave of cost pressures. “It is something that needs to be addressed,” he told the Mirror . “We are fortunate but there are a lot of pubs that don’t have the same support. We are feeling the pinch as well.”

Those cost pressures range from wages to higher gas and electricity prices, and now a spike in fuel for deliveries because of the fall-out from Iran war. The business is also paying more for glass and recycling.

“Profits are being eaten up by this stealth costs,” Mr Greenaway said, who called on Chancellor John Healey to prioritise a review of business rates in the Budget .

Best Beer Pub and Overall Great British Beer Pub of the Year – The Tamworth Tap, Tamworth, Staffordshire