A CONTEMPORARY boutique style pub with rooms in the quaint Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold has reached the finals of a national competition.

The Sheep on Sheep Street, run by Brakspear, was entered in the Publican Awards 2017 in the Best New Pub/Bar category and has made it through to the final stages. The winners of all 18 categories in the annual awards, run by the industry magazine the Morning Advertiser, will be announced at a ceremony on March 14.

The pub was originally three 17th century buildings and had been a B&B called the Parkdean. It was renamed the Grapevine Hotel in the 1980s. The previous owners decided to build a conservatory to act as a dining room, and this was built around a grapevine that was over 120 years old at the time, hence the inspiration for the name.

The property underwent a major refurbishment under the management of Brakspear, which aimed to bring a slice of London to the Cotswolds. The redesigned bar and restaurant is dominated by a central full-length bar top that flows into a counter dining space in front of an open kitchen.

For this award the judges assess the design of the new venue as well as the food, drink and entertainment.

General manager at the Sheep on Sheep Street Anna Asimakoploulou said “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Publican Awards. The Sheep is really different to most other pubs in the area - our design is contemporary and quirky and our food, including our wood-fired pizzas, more suited to the casual dining which customers are looking for.

“It’s great to be recognised for trying something new and we’re looking forward to showing the judges round our beautiful and very popular site.”

Editor of The Morning Advertiser Ed Bedington said “We had record entries into the Publican Awards this year, so our judges had a difficult task in choosing the finalists from a very talented field.

“All the pubs that have reached the shortlist deserve to be very proud of their achievement and we wish them all good luck with the next stage of the judging, and look forward to announcing the winners in March.”

Pub company Brakspear has also been shortlisted in the Best Accommodation category for five of its properties. The firm has three in the Cotswolds - George Townhouse in Shipston-on-Stour, the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold and the Sheep on Sheep Street – one in Stratford-upon-Avon and one in Surrey.

The Best Accommodation category assesses the design and comfort of the pubs’ bedrooms, as well as other elements of the experience for residential guests including customer service and the all-important breakfast.

The judging is currently ongoing and includes judges visiting some of the pubs with a member of the Brakspear head office team, a professional mystery pub visit and an interview in London for the Brakspear senior management team.