Controversial pub that opened 12 months ago wins ‘best in Bristol’ in national awards

A pub that opened a year ago after a petition from locals who didn’t want the new owners to change the name has been named the best in Bristol in a national competition.

The All Inn on Staple Hill Road in Fishponds opened in May 2023 when Oxfordshire-based Dodo Pub Co bought The Cross Hands and refurbished it.

The pub dates from 1853, when it was a hotel, and closed in February 2023. Its name change resulted in a petition called ‘Leave the Cross Hands pub name alone’ which attracted hundreds of signatures.

But now The All Inn has been named best in Bristol in the 2024 National Pub & Bar Awards which lists 94 pubs and bars across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Each county winner will now compete for the title of National Pub & Bar of the Year. The pubs, which have been selected on overall best practice across several operational categories, will be officially crowned at a red-carpet celebration in London in June.

The All Inn has become well known for its range of real ales and a menu offering ‘dirty burgers’ and authentic slow-rise Neapolitan pizzas.

The Dodo Pub Co was formed by Leo Johnson and Chris Manners, who opened their first pub, The Rusty Bicycle, in 2009 after returning to their Oxford roots from university. Their first Bristol pub will their seventh opening in total.

At the time of opening the pub, co-founder Leo Johnson said: “We have always changed the name of our pubs, as it represents a symbolic change of ownership and a fresh start; often required for failing pubs or pubs with poor reputations, although that is not the case with the All Inn, I hasten to add.

“All our pub names are carefully considered and the aim is to build a sense of trust and affection towards the name, for the locals that frequent it.

“The All Inn, is a play on traditional naming mechanisms associated with pubs and has a series of interpretations. First, the All Inn is coining our approach to building up true neighbourhood pubs for ‘All’ the community.”