The Royal Dyche, in Burnley, has been crowned the PubAid Community Pub Hero 2026 at a reception at the House of Commons.
The Royal Dyche took the overall title after being named Community Sport Hero for England, with judges particularly impressed by the sheer breadth of its commitment to Burnley.
The pub has transformed itself to a venue that is fiercely proud of its town, using everything from grassroots sport and live music to mental health initiatives, free meals, fundraising, and community events to bring people together.
It has raised more than £50,000 for charities and invested more than £10,000 in grassroots sport, while providing opportunities for local performers, tackling loneliness and supporting people across its community.
“Every year, these awards remind us just how extraordinary the contribution of pubs to their communities really is, and this year was no exception,” said Des O’Flanaghan, co-founder of PubAid.
“The Royal Dyche stood out because the community is embedded in almost everything it does. Its commitment goes far beyond any one initiative — it understands, celebrates, and champions Burnley, and continually finds new ways to make a positive difference to the people who live there.
“But these awards are also about celebrating the incredible work happening in pubs right across the UK. From fundraising hundreds of thousands of pounds and keeping grassroots sport alive, to tackling isolation, creating inclusive spaces, and driving environmental action, our winners demonstrate just how valuable pubs are to the communities they serve.”
The awards were sponsored by Diageo and supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
The evening saw Tonia Antoniazzi MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, presented with a special award recognising her tireless work championing pubs and her support for PubAid, the Beer Group, and the wider industry. It is the first time PubAid has presented the special award.
Other winners
Community Sport Hero
The Royal Dyche, Burnley
The Athketic Arms, Edinburgh
Wild Horse Taproom, Llandudno
Teddy’s of Bangor (Northern Ireland)
Community Fundraising Hero
The Beeswing, North Yorkshire
The Auld Hoose, Kinghorn
The Bull Inn, Llannerchymedd
Patsy’s Bar, Coleraine
Community Sustainability Hero
The Old House at Home, Surrey
Community Support Hero
The Oxleathers, Stafford
The Islay Inn, Glasgow
The Halfway Pub, Abergavenny
Bullhouse East, Belfast
