Design

Wetherspoon is renowned for, as well as proud of, its reputation for transforming old and often derelict buildings into beautiful and vibrant pubs, breathing new life into former landmark properties and unused premises.

The company’s design, restoration and conservation of old buildings, during new pub projects over the years, have gained recognition, as well as numerous titles and praise, from conservation societies and design award competitions, locally, nationally and internationally.

Organisations bestowing awards on Wetherspoon include Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), English Heritage, local councils, heritage and civic trust societies, Royal Institute of British Architects, as well as numerous independent and industry-recognised design awards initiatives.

Here, we catalogue the awards and accolades back to 1993.

Awards 2024

• Wakefield Civic Society Design Award ‘best refurbishment category’ for the project to extend The Six Chimneys into the former New Dolphin Inn (later known as the Wakefield Pride and the Wakey Tavern).
  • Under the project, the two buildings were brought together into one enlarged pub, unified by a decorative scheme running across the properties, both inside and out. In addition, a large beer garden has been created in the yard at the rear.
  • The judges were impressed with not only the quality of execution, but also the focus on local history, with many illustrations displayed inside featuring stories of Wakefield’s history, while architectural detailing has been revealed on the New Dolphin building’s exterior which had previously been hidden by signage.

Awards 2023

• George Larkin Brighter City of Derby Awards ‘restoration category’, presented by Derby Civic Society, following a refurbishment and expansion project incorporating Joseph Wright House (winner)
  • Judging panel commented: ‘The property has been carefully and successfully incorporated … keeping many original features.’
• The Henley Society ‘commemorative blue plaque to remember the building’s history’ The Catherine Wheel (Henley-on-Thames)
  • The society said: ‘Hart Street is one of the jewels in Britain’s high-street scenes and to imagine it without The Catherine Wheel’s façade would be unthinkable.’
• Edmund and Annie Hart Trophy ‘outstanding display in the City of London Winter Colour Competition 2022/23’, presented by the Flowers in the City campaign, The Liberty Bounds (City of London) (winner)
• Louth Town Council’s Lovely Louth Competition ‘licensed premises’ category, The Joseph Morton (Louth) (third)
• Britain in Bloom, Heart of England in Bloom, ‘hospitality’ category, The Royal Hop Pole (Tewkesbury) (gold)
  • Judging panel commented: ‘The entrance to this historic building, an ornate portico dating back to 1921, is decorated with very colourful hanging baskets, which not only look impressive in situ, but also add to the appearance of the whole street.’

Awards 2022

• Fit Out ‘designer of the year’ The South Strand (Dublin) (Glenn Hughes – finalist)
• Fit Out ‘project of the year – conservation’ An Geata Arundel (Waterford) (finalist)
• Fit Out ‘project of the year – tourism and leisure’ An Geata Arundel (Waterford) (finalist)
• Derby Civic Society ‘restoration project of the year’ The Standing Order (Derby) (restoration and extension)
• Royal Horticultural Society South West In Bloom awards, Shaun Cregan Trophy ‘best public house’ category, The Bear (Melksham) (third)
• National Pub & Bar Awards 2022 (Pub & Bar magazine), The Bobbing John (Alloa) (county winner)
• Ruthin Town Council’s floral display competition ‘licensed premises category’, for ‘making a positive contribution to brighten up the town’ The Castle Hotel (Ruthin) (first)

Awards 2021 

• Fit Out ‘project of the year – tourism and leisure’ Keavan’s Port Hotel (Dublin) (finalist)
• Fit Out ‘project of the year – hospitality’ Keavan’s Port Hotel (Dublin) (finalist)
• Fit Out ‘project of the year – conservation’ Keavan’s Port Hotel (Dublin) (finalist)
• Ruthin Town Council’s floral display competition ‘licensed premises category’, for ‘its striking display of flowers in the seating area at the rear of the pub’ The Castle Hotel (Ruthin) (winner)
• Rotherham District Civic Society blue plaque award, stating ‘..sensitively restored as a public house in the late 20th century’ The Bluecoat (Rotherham)

Awards 2020

• Bexhill Heritage Civic Pride Awards ‘building demonstrating civic pride through its restoration’ category, The Picture Playhouse (Bexhill-on-Sea) (highly commended as a ‘distinct favourite’ and ‘showing respect for this iconic building’)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘outstanding conversions and restorations’ (outstanding conversion) awarded at:
  • Hamilton Hall (Liverpool Street station)
  • Opera House (Royal Tunbridge Wells)
  • Royal Victoria Pavilion (Ramsgate)
  • The Archibald Simpson (Aberdeen)
  • The Art Picture House (Bury)
  • The Caley Picture House (Edinburgh)
  • The Capitol (Forest Hill)
  • The Coronation Hall (Surbiton)
  • The Coronet (Holloway)
  • The Counting House (Glasgow)
  • The Crosse Keys (City of London)
  • The Earl of Zetland (Grangemouth)
  • The John Fairweather (Cambuslang)
  • The Knights Templar (City of London)
  • The Lattice House (King’s Lynn)
  • The Old Chapel (Darwen)
  • The Palladium (Llandudno)
  • The Playhouse (Colchester)
  • The Prince of Wales (Cardiff)
  • The Richard Oastler (Brighouse)
  • The Standing Order (Edinburgh)
  • The Twelve Tellers (Preston)
  • The West Kirk (Ayr)
  • The Winter Gardens (Harrogate)
  • Union Rooms (Newcastle upon Tyne)
  • Wallaw (Blyth)
  • Waterend Barn (St Albans)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘outstanding conversions and restorations’ The Imperial (Exeter) (outstanding conversion)
  • Judging panel commented: ‘An outstanding conversion of a grade II listed mansion … the pub celebrates the attractive architecture of the house … especially the spectacular orangery … retaining the fabulous arched metal-and-glass construction in all of its glory.’

Awards 2018

• Vale of Evesham Civic Society ‘letter of commendation for sympathetic refurbishment’ The Old Swanne Inne (Evesham)
• The Ramsgate Society Design Awards ‘certificate of excellence’ Royal Victoria Pavilion (Ramsgate), commenting: ‘The acquisition of properties like this one, with high historical and architectural interest, is matched by restoration and maintenance to a high order.’
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘conversion to pub use’ Royal Victoria Pavilion (Ramsgate) (joint winner). The judges said: ‘The pub has an extremely majestic look … project would have seemed too daunting for most … yet Wetherspoon has literally picked a winner here.’

Awards 2017

• Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards ‘best designed casual dining pub or bar’ The Iron Duke (Wellington) (winner)
• The Sittingbourne Society Awards Rose Bowl award ‘sympathetic remodelling of the old magistrates’ court’ The Golden Hope (Sittingbourne)
• FAB (Food and Beverage) awards ‘individual food & beverage offer of the year in a railway station’ The Booking Office (Edinburgh) (shortlisted)
• BUILD magazine’s Architecture Awards ‘best public house design project’ The Velvet Coaster (Blackpool)
• Northern Design Awards Restaurant & Bar, The Caley Picture House (Edinburgh)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘conservation award’ The Greenwood Hotel (Northolt) (winner) ..praised for the ‘fine, sympathetic conservation work executed at the pub which shows how subtlety and respect can often achieve more than big-budget transformation’.
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘conversion to pub use’, in conjunction with English Heritage, The Caley Picture House (Edinburgh) (highly commended)
• Isle of Wight Society Design and Conservation Awards and the Royal Institute of British Architects ‘certificate of merit for sensitive renovation of the former Congregational chapel’ The Man in the Moon (Newport, Isle of Wight)

Awards 2016

• Northern Design Awards ‘restaurant & bar’ The Nine Arches (Newton-le-Willows)
• FAB (Food and Beverage) awards ‘airport bar of the year’, recognising the best and most innovative projects in travel-related food and beverage, The Windmill (Stansted Airport)
• FAB (Food and Beverage) awards ‘airport bar of the year’ Wetherspoon (Birmingham Airport) (highly commended)
• FAB (Food and Beverage) awards ‘individual food & beverage offer of the year in a railway station’ The North Western (Liverpool Lime Street station) (highly commended) – also selected for the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, in the ‘UK categories’
• Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, The Twelve Tellers (Preston) (selected for UK categories)
• Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, The Mossy Well (Muswell Hill) (selected for UK categories)
• Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, The Great Wood (Blanchardstown) (selected for Republic of Ireland category)
• Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, The Linen Weaver (Cork) (selected for Republic of Ireland category)
• The Hoddesdon Society Stuart Hamilton Award ‘design and restoration, in recognition of its preservation work of historical art’ The Star (Hoddesdon)

Awards 2015

• Northern Design Awards ‘commercial/restaurant & bar category’ The North Western (Liverpool Lime Street station), for the interior design of the pub, which complements the heritage and history of Liverpool Lime Street (winner)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘conversion to pub use’, in conjunction with English Heritage, The Wallaw (Blyth) (highly commended) (winner)
• Restaurant & Bar Design Awards ‘best pub’ The Quarter Jack (Wells) (shortlisted)
• West Lancashire Design Awards ‘renovation/conversion category’ The Court Leet, Ormskirk (winner)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best conversion to pub use’, ‘handled with real care and restraint and a worthy example of how to do it well’ The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Keswick) (winner)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘new build’, ‘rarely given, such is the mediocrity of most new pubs; judges have no hesitation in bestowing the rare accolade on this striking building’ The Admiral Collingwood (Ilfracombe) (winner)
• Maldon District Council’s 32nd Conservation & Design Awards ‘townscape regeneration prize ‘for the refurbishment of the ancient pub’ Rose & Crown (Maldon)
• Blackpool Civic Trust ‘best night time economy – aimed at setting the standards for new developments, while safeguarding the resort’s rich heritage’ The Velvet Coaster (Blackpool) (winner)
• Newport Parish Council Planning Committee Annual Design Awards ‘special conservation award for overall quality of the work and contribution to the character and appearance of the area’ The Man in the Moon (Newport, Isle of Wight)

Awards 2014

• Whickham & District In Bloom Summer Garden Competition, The Harry Clasper (Whickham) (highly commended in bloom)
• Northumbria In Bloom ‘best effort for upkeep of external premises by a public house or hotel’ The Harry Clasper (Whickham) (silver gilt)
• Beccles Society Dr Nicholson Award ‘an architectural award honouring Dr Edward S Nicholson, the first chairman of the Beccles Society from its inception in 1966 for 21 years; an award to encourage good design, imaginative ideas and quality development through public acknowledgment of the work carried out by its recipients’ Kings Head Hotel (Beccles)

Awards 2013

• FAB (Food and Beverage) awards ‘best worldwide airport bar’, recognising its range of food and drinks, as well as its contemporary design, The Red Lion (Gatwick Airport)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best pub refurbishment’ The Trent Bridge Inn (Nottingham), celebrating British pubs with truly memorable designs (highly commended)
• Cramlington In Bloom ‘best commercial premises’ John the Clerk of Cramlington (Cramlington)
• Melksham In Bloom, The Bear (Melksham)
• Tamworth Heritage Trust commemorative blue plaque ‘in recognition of the town’s most treasured historical sites and key buildings’ The Silk Kite (Tamworth)
• Northern Design Awards ‘best restaurant/bar design’ category The Smithy Fold (Glossop) (shortlisted)
• Northern Design Awards ‘best restaurant/bar design’ category The Master Mariner (New Brighton) (shortlisted)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best pub refurbishment’ The Bluecoat (Rotherham)

Awards 2012

• Ruthin and District Civic Association Quayle Award ‘recognition of restoration and the excellent quality of development work undertaken’ The Castle Hotel (Ruthin) (winner)
• UK and International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards ‘recognising and rewarding design excellence’ The William Peverel (Bulwell) (nominated)
• Barnsley Civic Trust shop award in the public house category, ‘recognising business skills, innovation, architectural design and the impact of window displays on the street scene’ The Joseph Bramah (Barnsley) (winner)

Awards 2011

• Malvern Civic Society award for ‘new or renovated building which the judges consider has added something outstanding to Malvern’s environment’ The Foley Arms Hotel (Great Malvern) (winner)

Awards 2010

• Pontefract Civic Society Heritage Awards ‘design award for recognition of the way in which the former building has been transformed into a vibrant pub, also highlighting Pontefract’s rich history’ The Broken Bridge (Pontefract) (winner)

Awards 2009

• Cheltenham Civic Awards ‘pub’s restored façade considered among the best structure and renovation in the town in the previous 12 months’ The Bank House (Cheltenham) (commendation)
• Monmouth Civic Society ‘awarded a Monmouth Heritage blue plaque for a building of great historic and architectural interest’ The Kings Head (Monmouth)

Awards 2007

• Wigan Council Commendation Urban Design Award, The Thomas Burke (Leigh)
• Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Conservation Award ‘restoration of upper floors’ Opera House (Royal Tunbridge Wells)

Awards 2004

• Aberdeen Civic Society ‘recognition of new façade’ The Justice Mill (Aberdeen)
• Southend Borough Council Design Award The Last Post (Southend-on-Sea)

Awards 2003

• Railway Heritage Award, Yr Hen Orsaf (Aberystwyth)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘conversion to pub use’ The Winter Gardens (Harrogate) (highly commended)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best conversion to pub use’, in conjunction with English Heritage, The Kings Fee (Hereford) (highly commended)

Awards 2002

• The Godalming Trust Civic Design Awards, The Jack Phillips (Godalming)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best conversion to pub use’ The Gatekeeper (Cardiff) (winner)

Awards 2001

• Wheelchair-Users’ Group, Wetherspoon (Folkestone) (silver)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards, The Sedge Lynn (Chorlton-cum-Hardy)
• CAMRA South Devon Region ‘pub of the year’, The Isaac Merritt (Paignton)

Awards 2000

• The Brighouse Civic Trust Award for Excellence, The Richard Oastler (Brighouse)
• The Newcastle City Council Civic Trust Award, Union Rooms (Newcastle upon Tyne)
• The Lord Mayor’s Conservation Award, The Prince of Wales (Cardiff)
• The Aberdeen Civic Society Award for Outstanding Conversion, The Archibald Simpson (Aberdeen)
• The Surrey Industrial History Group Preservation and Conservation Award, The Rodboro Buildings (Guildford)
• The Guildford Society Award for Refurbishment, The Rodboro Buildings (Guildford)
• Horsham District Council Design Awards, The Lynd Cross (Horsham)
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best conversion to pub use’, in conjunction with English Heritage, The Sedge Lynn (Chorlton-cum-Hardy) (winner)
• The English Tourism Council Standards of Excellence Awards ‘design and standard of toilet facilities’ The Ship of Fools (Croydon)

Awards 1999

• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best pub refurbishment’ The Billiard Hall (West Bromwich) (joint winner)
  • Judging panel commented: ‘Wetherspoon is now becoming an expert in sensitive conversions of problematic, but rewarding, historic buildings.’
• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best pub refurbishment’ The Half Moon (Mile End) (joint winner)
  • Judging panel commented: ‘An unprecedented double victory for independent pub chain J D Wetherspoon.’
• The Guildford Society Good Design Award, The Rodboro Buildings (Guildford)
• Guildford Borough Council Heritage Award ‘refurbishment category’ The Rodboro Buildings (Guildford)
• Design and Conservation Award ‘best conservation/restoration development’ The James Watt (Greenock) (commendation)

Awards 1998

• Horsham District Council Design Award, The Lynd Cross (Horsham)
• Blackburn Civic Society, listing in ‘The Buildings of Blackburn’ The Postal Order (Blackburn)
• Stafford Borough Council Conservation Award, The Picture House (Stafford)
• Stafford Historical and Civic Society Conservation Award, The Picture House (Stafford) (nomination)
• Swansea City and County Council Award ‘built-in quality’ The Bank Statement (Swansea)

Awards 1997

• Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Conservation Awards, Opera House (Royal Tunbridge Wells) (commendation)

Awards 1996

• CAMRA National Pub Design Awards ‘best conversion to pub use’ and ‘conservation award’, in conjunction with English Heritage, The Commercial Rooms (Bristol) (winner)
• Scotland Yard ‘pub design prevention of drugs trading’ The Beehive (Brixton)
• The Jeffrey Gribble Award ‘outstanding design in the London Borough of Islington’ The Coronet (Holloway)
• Eros Award ‘one of the top 10 pubs in London’ The Coronet (Holloway)

Awards 1995

• Derby Borough Council’s Design Award, The Standing Order (Derby)
• Colchester Council Colchester Access Award, The Playhouse (Colchester)

Awards 1994

• Disabled Access Award, The Playhouse (Colchester)
• Southend Borough Council’s Design Award, The Last Post (Southend-on-Sea)

Awards 1993

• London Borough of Croydon’s Design Award, The George (Croydon)