CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, yesterday kicked off its annual National Pub Design Awards in a bid to find the most exquisitely-designed, most architecturally-magnificent pubs in the UK. The 2016 awards, to be held in association with Historic England (a government heritage body), aim to celebrate the standard of architectural and design works both during refurbishment and conservation works on pubs as well as the construction of new sites.
Sean Murphy, Organisation of CAMRA’s National Pub Design Awards insisted that the contest was open to pubs of all shapes and sizes – “whether it’s a converted theatre or a Victorian coaching house”.
Entrants can be nominated by either their owners, landlords, local CAMRA members or members of the public. Following nomination, pubs will usually be asked to provide supplementary photos as well as architectural and design plans for the judging process.
A diverse range of pubs were honoured during last year’s awards ceremony, including: Sunderland’s own, The Dun Cow, a newly-refurbished gin palace; Brighton’s Bey estate pub, rebuilt by the local community itself; a magistrates court and police cell conversion job in the Lake District; and a brand new pub complete with sleek design in North Devon.
There are five different categories into which pubs can enter:
- New Build: For only new-build pubs. That’s not to say pubs should be necessarily be ultra-modern and made with 21st century materials; rather, judges welcome properties than nod to Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian architectural eras.
- Refurbishment: Exactly as its sounds. Refurbishment works completed can be major or simply a restoration job. In any case, knowing when less is more is key and tailoring is highly-regarded,
- Conversion to Pub Use: Again, self-explanatory. This category is open to pubs converted from existing buildings and sites are judged on their relationship with the surrounded area.
- CAMRA/Historic England award: Sponsored by Historic England, this award is reserved for pubs that represent a lasting legacy.
- Joe Goodwin Award: Taking its name from the late Joe Goodwin, a chair on CAMRA, this award goes is open to street corner locals.
To qualify, all works on pubs must have been completed between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2015.
