Long-standing employees Ciara Neville and Ryan Curran have grown into the general manager and deputy manager roles with Stonegate Pub Company.
Duncan-Smith said: "It was enlightening to hear Ciara and Ryan’s stories. Ciara, who after nine years of development, has won the accolade of being Stonegate’s southern manager of the year while Ryan, four years into his journey, has progressed to deputy manager. It is attitudes to learning and investment like this that creates real career opportunities in the UK.”
Community recognition
General manager Ciara Neville said: “It was great to meet with Iain to show how Slug & Lettuce South Woodford has changed to be an all day amenity and to have our contribution in the local community recognised.”
Stonegate area manager Lee Wilson gave Duncan-Smith the guided tour of the newly refurbished site in north-east London.
Wilson said: “We appreciate Iain visiting Slug & Lettuce South Woodford to see the renovation and to meet the local team.
"This investment forms part of our annual £50m spend developing our pubs across the country providing enhanced community facilities, creating jobs and careers for people of all ages.
"Hospitality is an important business sector generating significant income for Government and we are pleased that our local MP recognises the importance of British pubs and bars.”
Extensive renovation
The £310,000 investment saw an extensive renovation take place on the site that was designed to create the go-to play for the area.
Slug & Lettuce has 77 sites across the country. At the end of 2017, the pub chain updated its menu to feature more vegan and sharing option dishes. The chain said it had expanded its offer to cater for the increasing demand for menu choices such as vegan nachos to the Crispy Margherita Arancini and Falafel Bites.