Aberystwyth licensee Lee Price named BII Licensee of the Year

Lee Price from The Royal Pier pub in Aberystwyth has been named the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) Licensee of the Year.

Price was handed the accolade having impressed a 12-strong panel of pub industry experts, who interrogated every aspect of his business.

He won thanks to his industry knowledge, ability to build a sustainable pub business and act as an ambassador for the trade.

Price said: "This is huge, absolutely huge. A great honour. It's about doing the simple things well. About listening to customers and giving them what they want."

BII chief executive Tim Hulme added: "The industry is full of dedicated, knowledgeable and hard working individuals and Lee has proven himself to be at the top of the tree. Make no mistake if you claim the title of BII Licensee of the Year, you really are the best of the best. Pubs contribute so much to the fabric of our community, so when you look at the quality of the entries this year, you know the future of the Great British pub is in safe hands."

The finalists of the 29th Licensee of the Year Award were:

• Kyle and Janice Macrae - The Royal Oak, Appleby
• Adam Giles and Charlotte Wenlock - Ye Olde Punchbowl Inn, Bridgnorth
• Lee Price - The Royal Pier, Aberystwyth
• Keith and Diane Marsden - The Prince of Wales, Mosley
• Lee and Keris De Villiers - The Old Sergeant, Wandsworth
• Tim and Liz Hore - The Victoria Inn, Salcombe