Top of the Pubs, British Institute of Innkeeping Awards

The Liberation Group topped four categories in last night's annual British Institute of Innkeeping Awards which recognise excellence in the licensing trade in Jersey.

The winning pubs were: Victoria in the Valley named as the Carlsberg Alfresco Pub of the Year, the St Mary's Country Inn which won the Easenmyne Best Food and Food Service award, while Hannah Phillips of the Five Oaks was named as Graduate of the Year and Susie Pinto of the Le Hocq Inn took the Britvic Bartender of the Year Award for 2010.

The awards dinner was held at the Liberation Group's The Bar on the Waterfront and was attended by representatives of the licensing trade in Jersey. The awards are made annually in May at the end of a month in which judges visit the nominated pubs incognito.

The group's Chief Executive Officer, Mark Crowther, said they were delighted to host the event and he congratulated the winners.

"Winning awards is always fantastic but even more so when the recognition comes from our peers. The Liberation Group is committed to delivering a top quality service in congenial surroundings, which is why we have invested more than £1.5 million in the business since the group was formed in July 2008. Congratulations are in order to our four winners - Justin Pledger at the Victoria, Steve Purcell from St Mary's, Susie and Hannah - who all take a great pride in what they do," he said.