Bedford’s newly opened Brewpoint pub has been named joint ‘new build’ winner in this year’s CAMRA pub design awards.
The awards, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale, assess newly built pubs. Brewpoint was joint new-build winner with Crown Wharf in Stone, Staffordshire.
CEO of Wells & Co, Peter Wells, said: “We’re utterly delighted to win this award. Launching in a lockdown is by no means an easy task but the support of our local community was incredible.
“I’m almost certain the main reason the public came to visit us so often was because of the eye-catching nature of our business.
“We’re grateful to our architects and building team who have helped to make such an impactful building and memorable place for our guests.”
The state-of-the-art building at the gateway into town, is local Brewers Wells & Co’s flagship pub.
Its industrial look was created by principal architects BHB to reflect the building’s function as a working brewhouse.
This is contrasted internally by a light and airy interior, spilling over two floors. Designs were created by Melling Ridgeway & Partners with a variety of recycled metal and wood being used.
Judges were particularly impressed by the extensive use of copper as this metal is traditionally used in brewing plants
The building is used for meetings and functions as well as drinking and dining. The company’s offices are also located within the brewhouse.
Chair of CAMRA’s judging panel, Andrew Davison, said the owners and architects of winning pubs all, “responded to them as individual buildings, rather than applying a standard formula.”
He said: “The result is a fantastically varied selection of winners. We applaud them all, and trust that these revitalised buildings will be serving their communities for many years to come.”
An awards ceremony will be held at one of the other winning pubs, the Boleyn Tavern in East Ham London, on 26 July.
