Pontardawe Inn crowned Welsh Pub of the Year at awards
The pub, which is run by couple Sion Partridge and Michelle Solomon, is also a finalist for Best Pub For Entertainment in the Great British Pub Awards 2025 on September 24.
Michelle and Sion with Emma Doyle from Sweet Williams - another business in Pontardawe that won Gift Shop of the Year. (Image: Sion Partridge) Co-owner of Pontardawe Inn, Sion Partridge said: 'It's great. We have been nominated for quite a few awards. We have owned the pub for the last three years after I previously worked here as an employee.
'It just goes to show the hard work all the team has put in. At the end of the day, you don't know how something is going to go unless you try.
'People visit us because they like our drinks, but because of the entertainment we offer and to see us too. We always have a bit of banter with our customers, and we are not your run of the mill pub.
'A lot of our customers come from loyalty. We have people who visit us day in and day out. You can't buy that.'
The pub hosted a pride event for the community. (Image: Sion Partridge) Sion and Michelle have both worked in the hospitality industry for many years.
Michelle has experience with hotels whereas Sion has previously worked at nightclubs and pubs around Cardiff.
Since taking over the pub, the couple has had a two-way relationship with their customers, helping each other out during tough times.
A 'Dartathon' was held to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. (Image: Sion Partridge) Sion continued: 'When there's been power blackouts and people had no electricity; we allowed locals to come here to charge their phones.
'Similarly, when we had problems with flooding in the past, the outpour from locals to help us was amazing. It's a lovely community.'
Pontardawe Inn has won Welsh Pub of the Year for the last three years. (Image: Sion Partridge) Pontardawe Inn is renowned for hosting events and on September 13, a Folk & Ale festival will be held at the pub.
'We have previously held pride events, and we were the only pub in the area to do it. The town came together and really enjoyed it. Running a pub is all about people management.
'The pub itself is the hub of our community, and we have given back by raising over £10,000 for various charities like Dementia UK, Prostate Cancer as well as funds for our local foodbank.'
A Pontardawe Folk & Ale Festival will take place at the pub on September 13. (Image: Sion Partridge) As a work couple, Sion admits that every decision for the pub is made jointly with Michelle.
'We live in a world where everyone assumes the man is in charge, but Michelle often says she can answer customer queries rather than them always being referred to me. We work hard to make this all work.'
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