THE winner of a contest for aspiring entrepreneurs, which was backed by organisations including the East Anglian Daily Times, is in the running for another honour.

The Rose & Crown at Great Horkesley, near Colchester, which is run by Ed Halls, winner of THE ONE competition last year, has now been shortlisted in the Best Newcomer category of the Great British Pub Awards, organised by industry publication The Publican’s Morning Advertiser.

As winner of THE ONE contest, Ed secured a package of business advice and support worth �50,000, with supporters of the competition also including PR firm Voice Communications, design consultancy Zeal, business consultant Angela Kimberley Ltd, accountants LB Group, business coaching firm Faith Performance and call answering service MyRuby.

The Rose & Crown is one of six Essex pubs nominated in the Great British Pub Awards, with the others including the Alma Inn and Dining Rooms at Harwich (for Best Freehouse Pub), the Pheasant at Gestingthorpe, near Sible Hedingham (Best Food Pub), the Five Bells at Colne Engaine, near Colchester (Best Community Pub), the Henny Swan at Great Henny, near Sudbury (Best Turnaround Pub), and the White Horse at Ramsden Heath, near Billericay (Best Family Pub).

Suffolk’s only representative among the finalists is the British Larder at Bromeswell, near Woodbridge, which is nominated in the Best Gastro Pub category.

Other finalists from region include the Salisbury Arms, Cambridge (for Best Cask Beer Pub), the Brickmakers in Norwich (for Best Entertainment Pub and Best Life Music Pub), the Cutter Inn, Ely (Best Managed Pub), the Fountain, Soham (Best Smoking Area), the Gardeners Arms/Murderers, Norwich (Best Sports Pub), and the Windmill, Orton, near Peterborough (Best Tenanted/Leased Pub).

The winners of the awards will be revealed at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in London on Thursday, September 8.