It’s the moment Londoners have been waiting for: Stella Artois is today announcing the “Love Your Local” campaign shortlist. For the last three months, Stella Artois has been recognising and looking to reward local pubs that have been active in, and part of their immediate communities. From hundreds of pubs, a shortlist of 10 has been decided – now all are in the running to win the top prize of £8,500 and be crowned ‘The Best-Loved Local’ in London.

Spearheaded by Hollywood actor and pub landlord, Jason Flemyng, ‘Love Your Local’ is a community awards initiative which celebrates the positive role that pubs play in their local communities and bringing the community together. It has campaigned for the revival of the pub and the way in which the pub can promote a responsible drinking environment.

Since the start of the campaign in July, there has been an overwhelming support for the beloved pub with over 400 pubs taking part. As local communities from every corner of London competed, over 5,000 devoted patrons have voted for their favourite local and want to see it rewarded. The shortlist, decided by number and quality of votes, includes:

The George Tavern, Stepney
The Nightingale, Balham
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
The Punch Tavern, Fleet St
The Triangle, Crouch End
The George, Isle of Dogs
The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill
Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington
The Brewery Tap, Wimbledon
The Brown Dog, Barnes

The top prize consists of a £5,000 bursary to improve the community environment of the pub, £1,500 towards a staff reward for their hard work and £2,000 towards a holiday for the publican. Three runners up will each receive a £1,500 bursary, £1,500 towards a staff reward and the publican will also receive £2,000 towards a holiday.

The panel of judges, which includes Evening Standard critic Charles Campion and Managing Editor of The Publican Daniel Pearce, will decide the winner and three runners up later this month.

To find out more about Love Your Local, and to see if your pub has been nominated, visit www.loveyourlocal.co.uk

For more information on responsible drinking visit, www.drinkaware.co.uk

Notes to editors:
Jason Flemyng is co-owner of The Duchess Pub in Battersea and an actor. He is known for his film work, which has included roles in British films such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000), both for Guy Ritchie, as well as Hollywood productions such as the Alan Moore comic book adaptations From Hell (2001) and The League of Extraordinary Gentleman (2003). He has also appeared in prominent roles in both theatre and television in the UK.

Stella Artois facts:
Data taken from independent Market Research agency - Brand Performance Tracker, Synovate.
Stella Artois is the UK’s no. 1 favourite lager, 40% higher than our nearest competitor*. It is also Britain’s favourite beer, wine and spirits brand**
7/10 consumers would consider drinking Stella Artois in the future. That’s the highest out of any lager brand. We lead by 10%