The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has begun its annual hunt to find the 2017 BII Licensee of the Year. Entries are now open online for the award programme, which is the most sought-after accolade of its kind in the licensed retail sector and recognises the top individual licensees, or licensee partners operating in the industry today.
The competition is open to managers, lessees, tenants and free traders, and last year saw a record number of licensees from across the country, vying for the top spot. It is the toughest competition of its kind with a rigorous six month judging process culminating in the announcement of the winner at the BII Summer Event on June 13th.
Licensees can nominate themselves or be nominated by colleagues, customers or suppliers by registering the entry here. Entrants must hold a Personal Licence and have a food hygiene rating of 4 or 5. Closing date for entries is 28th February.
Last year’s winners, Rob and Lucy Brewer, who manage St Austell pub The Rashleigh Arms in Cornwall, said of the award:
“It is the most thorough process we have ever been through. We have been involved in awards in the past but this one is without doubt the best. It has also opened our eyes to a bigger world outside Cornwall. We were just so pleased to win and I think because the judging process was in such depth, we learned a lot along the way. It makes it worth that much more.”
Mike Clist, the BII’s CEO, added:
“The BII Licensee of the Year Award has been going for over 30 years now and is THE award to win if you are a licensee operating in today’s market. We really are looking for the cream of the crop – a licensee who excels not just in business, but in people skills, training, customer service, food quality, marketing and innovation – they really must be the full package.
The judging process is the most rigorous, but also rewarding, of its kind. And our previous finalists and winners have all benefitted from the feedback they have received from the judges, as well as the publicity the competition attracts every year. Many of our LOYA alumni are well known and hugely successful figures in the sector today, and I can’t wait to meet the 2017 crop of finalists – the field just gets stronger every year!”
David Rey, managing director of Sky Business, said:
“We’re proud to be sponsors of the 2017 BII Licensee of the Year Award which recognises licensees who have gone the extra mile to make their pubs a success. The hard work and commitment of licensees is vital for the growth of the on-trade, and at Sky we aim to be the best possible partner for landlords to support them in this success.”