Vikki Launches ‘Pub of the Year’ Competition

Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has launched her Pub of the Year competition to celebrate the pubs in her constituency and highlight the challenges facing a sector that is under severe strain.

 With the UK losing around one pub every day, Vikki aims to raise awareness of the vital social, cultural, and economic role pubs play in communities.

On the competition, Vikki said:

"Pubs are not just about food and drink; they are about people, community, and the very identity of the United Kingdom.

I hope through this competition we can raise awareness of the struggles that these businesses face but also celebrate the social and economic value they bring.”

The competition comes amid growing concerns about the impact of government policy on pubs and hospitality. In Mid Dorset and North Poole alone, 54 pubs and 2 breweries support 1,675 jobs and contributes £52 million to the local economy, yet pub closures remain a reality.