An East Anglian hospitality group has been shortlisted for a national award recognising the industry’s best employers.  

Chestnut Group, which runs pubs, inns and restaurants across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, is a finalist in the Best Pub Employer (Up to 500 Employees) category at The Publican Awards 2023.  

The awards recognise the best businesses in the pub and bar sector across 16 categories, with the winners announced at London Evolution in Battersea on March 29.  

Chestnut won Best Pub Brand/Concept at last year’s Publican Awards – and said its “continued passion and responsibility to its team” motivated it to enter the Best Employer category this year.  

“We are extremely pleased to have been shortlisted for this national accolade, which is recognised by our peers in the industry throughout the UK,” said people director Charley O’Toole. 

“We pride ourselves on creating an exceptional guest experience that rests on having a committed, passionate and experienced team who are at the top of their game.
 Eastern Daily Press: Chestnut Group won the Best Pub Brand / Concept award at last year's Publican AwardsChestnut Group won the Best Pub Brand / Concept award at last year's Publican Awards (Image: Publican Awards)
“We feel it’s really important to recognise and reward our talented team members through recruitment incentives, employee assistance and bespoke training programmes whilst creating a strong and friendly working environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported.” 

It marks a positive start to the year for Chestnut, which recently added the Arch House Rooms in Wells-Next-The-Sea to its rapidly expanding portfolio. 

The company was founded by Philip Turner in 2012 and now owns 16 properties in popular beauty spots across the east of England.