Community Pub Hero Winners: Royal Dyche crowned PubAid Community Pub Hero 2026
The Royal Dyche in Burnley has been crowned the PubAid Community Pub Hero 2026, as pubs from across...
The Royal Dyche in Burnley has been crowned the PubAid Community Pub Hero 2026, as pubs from across all four nations were celebrated at this year’s Community Pub Hero Awards.
Sponsored by Diageo and supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, the awards celebrate pubs that go above and beyond for their communities through sport, fundraising, sustainability and community support.
Hundreds of entries and nominations were received from across the UK this year, including a record number from MPs, before the winners were revealed at a special reception at the House of Commons on 8 September.
The Royal Dyche was first named Community Sport Hero for England, recognising the enormous role grassroots sport plays at the pub.
But it was the breadth of its wider contribution to Burnley that ultimately saw it take home the overall PubAid Community Pub Hero 2026 title.
The pub has transformed itself from a venue with a troubled past into somewhere fiercely proud of its town and determined to make a positive difference.
It has raised more than £50,000 for charities and invested more than £10,000 in grassroots sport, alongside free community events, live music and opportunities for local performers, mental health support, initiatives tackling loneliness and free meals for people in the community.
Des O’Flanagan, Co-Founder of PubAid, said: “The Royal Dyche stood out because community is embedded in almost everything it does. Its commitment goes far beyond any one initiative – it understands, celebrates and champions Burnley and continually finds new ways to make a positive difference to the people who live there.
“Across all of our categories, however, we saw incredible examples of pubs responding to what their own communities need. That is what these awards are all about and every finalist should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.”
Elisabeth Rochford, ESG Lead, Diageo GB said:
“The best pubs are about much more than hospitality. They bring people together and support their local communities. From backing local causes and grassroots sport to creating welcoming spaces for everyone, these winners show the positive difference a community pub can make. Diageo is proud to support the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards and congratulate everyone recognised.”
Community Sport Hero
Community Fundraising Hero
UK Community Sustainability Hero
Community Support Hero
There was one more award to present before the celebrations came to a close.
Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, received a special award recognising her tireless work championing pubs and her support for PubAid, the Beer Group and the wider industry.
It was the first time PubAid has presented the award, recognising the important role Tonia has played in ensuring the contribution of pubs and the wider sector continues to be heard in Parliament.
This year’s winners were selected by a judging panel representing the pub industry and its partners:
Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners and finalists, and a huge thank you to Diageo, the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, our judges, MPs and everyone who helped us celebrate another remarkable year of community pubs.
General T&Cs
Prize details:
Two Premier League tickets with hospitality fulfilled by Sky Business - to a game of your choice from a select list. Eligible for 2026 Premier League home games in the 2025/26 season
Two sets of two tickets from Diageo