The local brewery celebrated a huge win at this year’s Publican Awards
Manchester’s oldest brewery, JW Lees, has secured a major win for the North West hospitality industry with managing director, William Lees-Jones taking home the award for Business Leader of The Year at the 2026 Publican Awards.
Noted as one of hospitality’s most prestigious awards, the Publican Awards celebrates the very best businesses in the sector, shining a light on those who have successfully navigated what can often be an unpredictable industry.
7th generation Manchester-based brewery JW Lees, still family run by MD William Lees-Jones, manages over 50 pubs and hotels between Manchester and Wales, alongside having over 80 pub partners.
In addition to a stellar year of record sales, William has taken the family brewery to new heights, including leading the launch of Founder’s Hall in Manchester and bringing back the legendary Boddingtons cask to its northern home.
William’s cousin, Michael, proudly accepted the award on his behalf on the night, which was rightfully awarded for achieving exceptional results for the Manchester-based brewery, and for tirelessly campaigning against the Government's taxation of the industry.
Speaking on his win, William Lees-Jones said: “This award is all about flying the flag for the beer and pub sector at a time when it’s never been so hard to run a pub.
“Our 7th generation family business is on a knife's edge with the changes to inheritance taxes, and I am really perplexed as to why the chancellor and treasury want to punish successful family businesses like ours at a time when we could be helping to grow the UK economy with investment and jobs. Here’s to all the teams that make JW Lees so special."
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