This year’s Great British Pub Awards shortlist highlights a striking trend: the Black Country has secured more nominations than Birmingham. Out of the 16 award categories, only one Birmingham pub made the cut, while the Black Country boasts three pubs nominated across different categories.
Birmingham’s sole nominee, The Kings Arms in Kings Heath, is contending for the Best Pub to Watch Sport. In contrast, the Black Country’s contenders include The Milestone in Willenhall, shortlisted for Best Community Pub; the Cock ‘N’ Bull.Co in Stourbridge, nominated in the Best Town Pub category; and the Ashmore Inn, recognized in the Best Admiral Taverns Pub category.
The awards panel praised the high calibre of entries, stating, “After receiving an incredible number of top-quality entries for this year’s Great British Pub Awards, our panel of expert judges have whittled it down to the very best the nation has to offer.”
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Beyond the West Midlands, pubs in Staffordshire and Shropshire are also in the running. The Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire has been nominated for Best Beer Pub, while Shropshire’s The Charlton Arms in Ludlow vies for Best Pub for Food. Additionally, The Crown at Albrighton has earned a nomination for Best Marston’s Pub.
This year’s nominations underscore the vibrant pub culture across the region, with the Black Country stepping into the spotlight for its excellence in community and town pubs.