Acorn Awards 2026: Sam Edwards, the Three Horseshoes
Edwards has transformed a country pub into a seven-figure operation
Position General manager, the Three Horseshoes
Age 29
Nominator Jo Harris, marketing and PR, the Three Horseshoes
Sam Edwards has turned a family-run village pub into one of Essex’s standout hospitality venues.
After started out in hospitality age 16 at BaxterStorey, Edwards gained a degree in hotel management from the Edge Hotel School. He went on to work at Hilton Bankside in London and Chris and Jeff Galvin’s Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, where he was restaurant manager when the team won Pub and Bar Award at the 2019 Cateys.
In 2020 he decided to set out on his own and became the co-owner of the Three Horseshoes in Colchester, which he has helped grow into a seven-figure operation, consistently receiving five-star guest feedback across more than 3,000 reviews.
Covers have risen steadily year-on-year, while spend per head has increased by 53%. Edwards’ approach is hands-on and entrepreneurial. He has diversified the offer by developing new revenue streams, including a coffee shop that acts as a community hub. He has transformed outdoor and unused spaces into private dining and kitchen garden areas, strengthening both the guest experience and the pub’s sustainability credentials.
Equally important is his focus on people. Edwards leads a team of 33 with a strong emphasis on training, wellbeing and work-life balance, maintaining low staff turnover and building a loyal, engaged team. He supports career progression both within and beyond the business, helping individuals take the next step.
Beyond the pub, Edwards is a strong advocate for the sector. He has worked with Colchester Institute and HIT Training to develop tailored mentoring programmes, while also engaging with local MP Bernard Jenkin to raise awareness of the challenges facing hospitality, including business rates and VAT. He also supports charities and offers the space for locals to meet for community campaigns, such as the Woodland Trust.
Practical, driven and community-focused, Edwards is redefining what a modern country pub can be.
Q&A with Sam Edwards
What does winning an Acorn Award mean to you?
Winning this award means a huge amount to me. It marks an incredible journey – from taking a real leap of faith during lockdown to building my business into what it is today. Seeing that growth is hugely rewarding, but what makes it even more special is being personally recognised as an ambassador of the hospitality industry. It’s not only a reflection of the progress we’ve made as a business, but also of the people around me who have supported that journey. To be recognised in this way is both a proud moment and a reminder of the responsibility to continue championing the standards and values that make our industry so special.
How do you get the best out of your team?
My team has become like family. We’ve grown from just two people to a team of 30, and every individual brings something unique. What I find most rewarding is seeing people develop – often joining with little or no experience and going on to choose hospitality as a long-term career.
I encourage the team to build genuine relationships with our guests, many of whom visit us regularly. Creating that sense of connection not only enhances the customer experience but also gives the team a real sense of pride and purpose in what they do.
What excites you about your future in hospitality?
I’m excited by the opportunity to continue growing the business and exploring future ventures, while recognising that timing is crucial, particularly in the current economic climate. Alongside that, I believe we, as an industry, need to be stronger in our collective voice when engaging with government and advocating for greater support. That’s something I’m passionate about, and I’d like to play a more active role in representing and championing the sector.
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