The owners of The Bailey Head pub in Oswestry are delighted to have been named a finalist in the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Business Awards for the eighth time in nine years, in the UK’s Best Independent Beer Bar or Pub – Rural category.

For the second year running, two North Shropshire venues are among the final four, with The Crafty Dragon in Whitchurch again joining The Bailey Head on the shortlist. In fact, all four finalists are the same as last year.

The Bailey Head previously won the award in 2020 and was Highly Commended in 2024.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in Liverpool on Wednesday, 18 March.

Landlady Grace Goodlad said:
“Following on from us winning the Campaign for Real Ale National Pub of the Year award last year, this is a great testament to our team. Duncan and I are looking forward to meeting up with industry colleagues at the awards, and hopefully planning some exciting things for this year.”

2026

Finalists

  • Northstowe Tap & Social, Northstowe

  • The Crafty Dragon, Whitchurch

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

  • The Brewers 1841, Ossett

2025

Winner

  • Northstowe Tap & Social, Northstowe

Finalists

  • The Crafty Dragon, Whitchurch

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

  • The Brewers 1841, Ossett

2024

Winner

  • Royal Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale

Highly Commended

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

Finalist

  • Vocation & Co., Hebden Bridge

2023

Winner

  • Elephant & Castle, Wheathampstead

Finalists

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

  • The Fox & Hounds Beer House, Caversham

2022

Winner

  • The Fox & Hounds Beerhouse, Caversham

Finalists

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

  • The Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsden

  • Too Hoppy, Tavistock

2021

Winner

  • The Royal Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale

Finalists

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

  • The Salutation Inn, Ham

2020

Winner

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

Finalists

  • The Reading Rooms, Wheathampstead

  • The Wonston Arms, Winchester

  • Vocation & Co., Hebden Bridge

2019

Winner

  • Bowland Beer Hall, Clitheroe

Finalists

  • Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Leeds

  • The Star Inn, Halesworth

  • The Harvester, Southam

2018

Winner

  • The Cove, Kingsbridge, Devon

Finalists

  • The Bailey Head, Oswestry

  • Geese and Fountain, Croxton Kerrial, Lincolnshire

  • Red Lion Inn, Wiltshire

2017

Winner

  • The Salutation Inn, Ham, Gloucestershire

Finalists

  • Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells, Powys

  • The Old Workshop, Teignmouth, Devon

2016

Winner

  • Yew Tree Inn, Bunbury, Cheshire