The Good News: Stonegate and Heineken team up to combat loneliness
However, we also want to show the positive news going on within the industry and here is where we will be highlighting good news by regularly updating this story.
To kick us off we’ve taken a look at some of the good news over the past few days and weeks.
November
Stonegate Group and Heineken UK have teamed up to launch the Pub Alone campaign to get pubgoers to talk about loneliness this Christmas
The collaborative campaign will see Stonegate, the UK’s largest pub company, donate £75,000 to Heineken UK’s charity partner, Marmalade Trust, which is a loneliness charity.
The two businesses aim to spark meaningful conversations on loneliness and encourage people to connect and build new relationships in safe, welcoming pub environments over the holiday period.
Though Christmas is often associated with joy and celebration, many people experience loneliness during this season. The issue extends beyond older generations according to the campaign and those aged 16 to 29 are more than twice as likely to report feeling lonely as those aged 70 and above.
Through Pub Alone, Stonegate Group and Heineken UK – which manufactures beer and cider alongside operating pubco Star Pubs – said they are working to create safe, inclusive spaces where people of all ages can experience the warmth and community spirit of the great British pub.
The campaign will hopes that by sharing real stories that showcase the magic of the pub at Christmas, seen through the eyes of those who experience it firsthand, its Tales of Togetherness will unfold across social channels, celebrating the special moments that make the pub so meaningful during the festive season.
Stonegate’s MiXR app, which connects people with nearby Stonegate venues and has a range of incentives to visit the pub, will be key to the campaign. It will feature a festive advent calendar with daily prizes, including offerings from Birra Moretti, adding a fun, interactive way for guests to enjoy the season and win rewards.
Stonegate Group CEO David McDowall said: “Our pubs have always been at the heart of communities, especially during the festive season. We are committed to bringing people together in safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome and can forge meaningful relationships.
“Partnering with Heineken UK allows us to amplify this message, combining our commitment to community with their dedication to addressing loneliness.”
Heineken UK on-trade director Will Rice added: “Christmas is a wonderful time for many but it’s important to remember it can also be a different experience for those feeling alone.
“Through our joint Pub Alone campaign, we want to encourage communities to support one another and break the silence on loneliness. Teaming up with Stonegate Group and channelling funds raised towards our partner charity, Marmalade Trust, allows us to reach more people than ever, fully aligning with our goal to alleviate the stigma of loneliness currently felt in the UK.”
Pub Alone will run from mid-November throughout December, and pubs across the Stonegate network will participate by hosting special events and activities to foster connection.
Welsh pub opens village store for community
Two Welsh publicans are supporting their community by opening a sustainability-focused village store and community café – thanks to fiscal help from Pub in the Hub.
Licensees Denise Roberts and Helen Roderick, who have run Pentre Comrades Club in Pentre, Rhondda, for 30 years are bidding to tackle a lack of local services after many facilities within the former coal-mining village shut in the past 20 years.
Facilities falling victim as axed services include schools, shops, day centres and libraries.
The community shop provides local essentials at an affordable price, enabling people to make their money go further and tackle food poverty with the cost-of-living crisis.
Sustainability is a major ethos of the business with the village store, enabling people to refill their own containers by weight, cutting the use of plastic and helping the environment.
The shop also offers eggs from a local farmer and there are plans to extend its offer of local produce.
By introducing a café, the pub provides a safe environment for customers to come together, to help tackle social isolation and engage with different people across the community.
Expert help and two Community Services Fund grants from Pub is The Hub were provided to help with the opening of both the community shop and café.
Pub is The Hub, is a not-for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify and provide essential local services. It has been supporting projects in rural areas across Wales after receiving a grant of £25,000 from The Royal Countryside Fund.
The Pentre Comrades Club recently reopened its kitchen after a refurbishment and is now offering sustainable cookery classes, such as how to cook vegetarian dishes, to people in the local community.
Roberts said: “We know that people want to belong and we know that our community is still very close knit and connected so we want to provide a resource for them that can replace those missing amenities and provide a place for that community engagement.
“This pub is for everyone and anyone is welcome to use it. We have had great support from people living in the local community and we want to help educate them on the benefits of sustainable living as well as providing a space for them to socialise.”
Pub is The Hub regional advisor Roger Belle added: “The Pentre Comrades Club is an example of great publicans focusing on what their local rural community needs. This is really the hub of its local area.”
The venue opens as a pub on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but is open seven days a week offering the village store, café and community space.
- Have you got a good news story? Tell us about it, email avxxvr.gungpure@jeoz.pbz
October
Suffolk brewer and pub & rooms operator Adnams has launched a campaign to encourage people to stay in the pub for longer with friends, family and new faces.
In support of the on-trade, Adnams said about 80 pubs have closed each month in the first quarter of 2024 (Source: Altus Group) and its Time For Another Round campaign will see a new range of beer mats in pubs that will help keep customers’ conversations flowing.
The Southwold-based business hopes the beer mats will encourage consumers to linger longer in pubs and enjoy another round.
The beer mats have a range of Adnams beer brands featured on the front of them with colour-coded questions displayed on the reverse.
Turquoise-backed beer mats are themed around ‘Play’ including games and riddles for light-hearted fun; blue-backed beer mats are themed around ‘Think’ with thought-provoking questions; and purple-backed beer mats are themed around ‘Share’ with prompts for opening up.
Adnams head of brand Jess Turner said: “Hospitality has suffered so much in recent years and we’re determined to help keep the great British pub tradition alive.
“A trip to the pub is so much more than just a place for a quick drink, it’s somewhere to catch up with friends and family and feel part of a community.
“We hope that our Time for Another Round initiative will help to encourage people to stay longer in pubs and enjoy a chat over a pint – it’s an old tradition but a good one and I’ll cheers to that.”
The beer mats are being rolled out across UK pubs now and will be available in all Adnams pubs and wholesale partners.
- Have you got a good news story? Tell us about it, email avxxvr.gungpure@jeoz.pbz
Greene King footy contest raises £5k for Macmillan
Leased, tenanted and franchise business arm Greene King Pub Partners has raised more than £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support by hosting an industry five-a-side tournament.
The Greene King tournament was hosted at St Georges Park, the FA’s National Football Centre located near Burton-Upon-Trent, East Staffordshire.
In total, 14 teams from across the beer and pub industry took part in the tournament, with teams including Greene King, Molson Coors and others.
A team from industry supplier Softcat – an IT infrastructure firm – were crowned champions after 14 matches and a thrilling final.
The tournament was made possible thanks to sponsorship from Carling and all money raised will help the charity continue to do whatever it takes to provide vital care and support for people living with cancer.
Greene King Pub Partners business development manager James Pearson said: “We’re delighted to have raised over £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
"This tournament has also been a great opportunity to get members of our industry together over such an important cause. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and the team at Carling for helping make it happen.”
Greene King’s £20m milestone charity marker
Suffolk-based pub operator and brewer Greene King has reached a £20m fundraising "milestone" for its charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support.
The funds have been raised by team members at 2,600 venues around the UK through a host of extreme personal challenges including scaling mountains, hiking and running marathons, as well as pub teams hosting local fundraising events, pub quizzes and Macmillan Coffee Mornings throughout the year too.
Smaller donations from Greene King’s 1,600 managed pubs, from the £1 dropped into the collection tin on the bar to the 25p donations added via online collection tin Pennies, have also added to the "record result".
Alongside the announcement, Greene King has also encouraged people to open up about health and personal problems as part of its charity campaign across its pub communities, after new research showed more than a third of people have hailed the pub as a place to lighten the load and get personal problems off their minds.
The Greene King survey found 36% of UK adults feel their local is a good place to get things off their mind, with casual social settings the number one place to open up and start a conversation about personal issues (29%), overtaking common alternatives like via text (9%) and over the phone (8%).
In addition, the research also revealed cancer was the most worried about health concern for 62% of participants, followed by dementia/Alzheimer’s (39%) and heart issues (38%).
Meanwhile, 1 in 6 people (17%) said they would happily open up about a problem they’re facing to their local publican.
Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie said: “We are incredibly proud, as a company, to contribute towards such an important cause and we are so thankful to our teams and customers who have helped us achieve this £20m milestone.
“We often talk about the importance of the pub in our communities, and this research shows that the cornerstone of any community is a trusted safe space that can hold every human emotion experienced – somewhere to share the laughs, and the tears and everything in between.
“Pubs have always been at the heart of communities, and that has never been clearer than now, when our dedicated pub teams and our amazing customers have come together to support a cause that is close to the hearts of so many.”
Admiral pubs raise almost £100k for charity in three months
Proper Pubs – the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, has successfully raised almost £100,000 in just three months to donate to local charities across the UK.
Community spirit shone across the 200-strong estate over the last three months, in particular with pubs in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Derby, Lancashire and Glasgow.
The Strawberry Gardens in Manchester raised almost £8,000 in aid of Motor Neurone Disease (MND), while in St Helens, the Boar’s Head raised an amazing £2,100 for the Willowbrook Hospice.
Meanwhile, in Oswaldtwistle, the Rhoden Inn successfully donated more than £6,000 to the Ronal McDonald House Charities which provides free accommodation and support to families with children in hospital. In honour of the pub’s mammoth fundraising efforts, the Manchester House branch named a room after the Rhoden Inn to recognise its contribution.
Proper Pubs managing director Mark Brooke said: “I would like to thank everyone who came together to make this happen. As always, I’m absolutely blown away by the creativity of our incredible operators for organizing these fundraising events and of course by the generosity of their communities. We believe pubs are so much more than just a place to drink, but rather social hubs that support all aspects of community life, and I think this stands testament to that.”
Harlequins charity boost from Fuller’s food sales
London-based pubco Fuller’s has teamed up with rugby union team Harlequins’ charitable arm – The Harlequins Foundation – to help raise funds.
The tie-up will see money raised through the sale of specific food dishes at selected Fuller’s sites in Twickenham and Richmond, where the rugby club is located, go to the foundation.
Fuller’s, which operates 185 managed businesses, with 1,009 boutique bedrooms, and 154 tenanted inns, said the pubs and dishes where 50p from each one sold would go to charity would be at:
• The Cabbage Patch, Twickenham – Steak & London Pride Pie
• The Prince Blücher, Twickenham – Pork Ribeye with Ras Al Hanout
• The Turk’s Head, Twickenham – South Downs Venison Faggots
• The Prince’s Head, Richmond – Roasted Pumpkin and Sage Ravioli.
Stuart Green, general manager at famed pub the Cabbage Patch, said: “This is a great way for our customers to help support a fantastic local charity. We already work well with Quins and the foundation, but this cements our relationship in a mutually beneficial way.”
The Harlequins Foundation head of fundraising and engagement Nik Hart added: “This is a really exciting new initiative that gives Quins fans the opportunity to support the foundation while enjoying a trip to the pub.
“They are already frequenting these fantastic Fuller’s venues and now they know that as well as great food and drink, they’re directly supporting the programmes we deliver in our local communities.
“This is just the start of our partnership and I know that we will be adding further exciting initiatives as we develop the relationship.”
Green is also showing his support for the most vulnerable in society with the Cabbage Patch’s new colouring board, which has been installed outside the pub in time for World Mental Health Day on 10 October.
The board, which has been designed by Green and local artist Ali Mac, is based on paint by numbers, with customers free to grab a coloured pen and colour a section in.
The artwork was launched last Saturday to coincide with Harlequins first game of the season and the annual ‘Stomp to the Stoop’. The drawing reflects some of the oldest businesses in the Twickenham area and, of course, the pub’s connection to rugby.
Green said: “It’s so important to take time out every now and again. We all live busy lives – and this provides an opportunity to spend five minutes, just quietly colouring in an amazing mural.
“It’s good for Twickenham, good for the Patch, good for your mental health and good for the soul.”
Cook & Dine event raises £39k for Only A Pavement Away
Only A Pavement Away has announced it has placed more than 550 people into sector roles while raising £39,000 at its annual Cook & Dine event at the end of September.
The charity, which supports people looking to rebuild their lives through employment opportunities in hospitality, held its fifth Cook & Dine event at Armory House at the Honourable Artillery Company in London.
Senior leaders from across the industry, guests and volunteers gathered to cook, serve and dine together with Only A Pavement Away patron and celebrity chef Tom Aikens, who this month has been recognised with the AA’s prestigious Chef’s Chef of the Year Award, prepared the three-course meal along with volunteers from across the sector.
The premise of this unique fundraising event is simple: to bring everyone who works in the hospitality industry together, no matter their background, experience, or seniority, and raise funds to help support people facing homelessness find and forge new careers in hospitality.
Only A Pavement Away aims to support 5,000 people into employment by 2029 and money raised from this year’s event will go towards delivering the resources needed to enable Only A Pavement Away’s mission to provide pathways out of homelessness into purposeful employment within the hospitality industry.
Only A Pavement Away CEO Greg Mangham said: “We’re over the moon this year’s Cook & Dine fundraising event has been such a success.
“As we pass the milestone of placing over 550 members into work, this support is needed now more than ever, and the money raised from this year’s event will help us to continue our mission to provide pathways out of homelessness.”
Special Olympics fundraiser from Fuller's
Pub operator and brewer Fuller, Smith & Turner (Fuller's) has raised £21,000 for its charity partner, Special Olympics Great Britain, at is annual football tournament.
Marking its fifth year, teams from across the Fuller's estate and its suppliers came together for the charity football competition. This year's fundraising event saw 32 teams compete in six-a-side matches in unified teams, meaning each team was joined by a Special Olympics GB athlete from Ascot United Warriors and Special Olympics Essex football clubs.
Fuller's sustainability director Oliver Rosevear said: “This year’s football tournament was bigger than ever – having grown from 24 teams last year to 32 teams this year. Not only does the day raise money for a fantastic cause but it helps our teams build relationships with Special Olympics GB and its incredible athletes. The annual tournament has also led to the creation of our recently launched Guide to Inclusive Recruitment.
“A big thanks to all those who took part on the pitch – both playing and refereeing, and the team who helped the day run smoothly. Well done to team Cabbage Patch who won this year’s tournament.”
Special Olympics GB uses the power of sport to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, providing regular training and competitions. Operating in England, Scotland and Wales, the charity has more than 6,600 athletes benefitting from opportunities in 27 different sports, which are delivered by a devoted team of 3,800 volunteers.
Special Olympics GB CEO Laura Baxter MBE said: “Fuller’s unified football tournament is one of the few events of its kind in the country – which brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same teams.
“Every year, it’s fantastic to see the friendships formed between athletes, volunteers, family members, SOGB staff and Fuller’s team members. A number of our athletes have played in the tournament several times and look forward to it every year. A big thank you to everyone at Fuller’s for helping to host this special event and drive inclusion at every opportunity.”
September
Proper Pubs launches campaign supporting food banks across the UK
Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, has donated enough food to feed 1,300 people across the UK following the launch of its new, estate wide fundraising campaign – Heroes of Hunger.
As part of this initiative, each Proper Pub connected with their local foodbank and hosted a 'FoodFest' fundraising event between 6 – 8 September, coinciding with National Foodbank Day, including kid’s fun day's and music festivals.
Throughout the weekend, every customer that donated an item of food was given a raffle ticket to be in with a chance of winning a bar tab at their local Proper Pub.
In total, Proper Pubs collected more than 1,000 ‘bags for life’ worth of food as well as in excess of £5,200 to donate to their local foodbanks.
Proper Pubs managing director Mark Brooke said: “I am absolutely blown away by the fantastic efforts of our operators and their incredible communities. Choosing to support local foodbanks was a cause close to the hearts of many at Proper Pubs so it’s great to see what an impact we’ve managed to have in such a short time.
"We’ve always championed community pubs because we believe they are so much more than just a place to drink, but rather social hubs that bring people together and support one another and I think this campaign stands testament to that. As ever, I’d like to extend my thanks to all our operators and customers who have helped to feed hundreds of families through their donations. I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can make a difference in our local communities this year."
LTC crowns second Heart of Hospitality champion
The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has announced the winner of its LTC Heart of Hospitality award, crowning Tyler Spink, of the Eagle Tavern in Witney, Oxfordshire, as this month’s champion.
LTC's Heart of Hospitality award recognises people working in the licensed trade who go the extra mile to support their team, customers and community with a long-term goal of raising awareness of the challenges faced by hospitality professionals and recognising it as a supportive industry.
This month’s winner was nominated by Hook Norton Brewery for his "tireless effort" in creating a positive work environment that prioritises staff training and development.
Spink took over running the Eagle Tavern, which is part of Hook Norton Brewery, with his father Paul and brother Zak five years ago and has gone "above and beyond" to make the pub a lively local favourite.
With a real focus on training and developing his team, the Eagle Tavern has been recognised by Hook Norton Brewery and the LTC as an "employer that excels at supporting its staff at progressing in their careers".
LTC CEO Chris Welham said: “We’re proud of the LTC Heart of Hospitality campaign as we continue to recognise the individuals that work hard behind the scenes to make pubs special.
"With the challenges facing hospitality venues, we feel it is vital to acknowledge the brilliant efforts of the people who are doing all they can to make hospitality an even better place to work.
“We’d like to congratulate Tyler on his achievements at the Eagle Tavern, his efforts in making the venue a great place to work and to make his pub a hub for the whole community are an incredible example for the whole sector.
"If you know of, or work with someone who consistently goes that extra mile to improve the lives of others, please do nominate them to be a LTC Heart of Hospitality champion – we cannot wait to hear their story.”
Each LTC Heart of Hospitality Champion will be recognised and celebrated through social and digital content. In February, the first winner was announced as Sam Hagger, founder and director of The Beautiful Pubs Collective.
Punch partners with Only A Pavement Away for Fill a Flask campaign
Punch Pubs & Co has joined forces with its charity partner, Only A Pavement Away, to support its Fill a Flask campaign and combat food waste.
Using surplus soups following a menu cycle change, the campaign will see flasks filled and provided to those sleeping on the street in cities across the UK.
The industry charity, which supports people facing homelessness and helps them rebuild their lives through employment, has been running the campaign since 2018, when it started by delivering flasks of coffee and water to those in need. Since then, the project has developed into volunteering days at their charity partners' venues.
Punch Pubs sustainability specialist Jessica Nicklin said: "Punch's most recent collaboration with Only A Pavement Away’s Fill a Flask campaign has unlocked a new way for us to combat waste and help those experiencing homelessness in society. It's heart-warming to know we have provided many people with a healthy meal and supported fantastic charities across the UK."
The pubco added the campaign supports its ESG strategy, Punch Promise, and that the work was "fundamental" to its 'Doing Well, By Doing Good' programme.
Since Punch's involvement, Only A Pavement Away said it has delivered more than 2,000 portions of soup to UK charities, including Brighton Food Bank, Edinburgh City Mission and Birmingham City Mission Care Centre.
Only A Pavement Away founder and chief executive Greg Mangham said: “Over the five years we’ve been running Fill A Flask, the support of the hospitality industry has been key in being able to support those living on the streets and/or using hostels for support and their meals.
“Punch’s support has been amazing and has demonstrated how important their communities are to them by supplying 5,280 portions of soup across the country. This was a large-scale operation from coordinating with the charities to supplying and helping to distribute the soup nationwide alongside our hardworking volunteers.
"This momentous activity shows how operators can work more closely with us at Only A Pavement Away to unite against homelessness and support more people facing homelessness back into employment within the hospitality industry.”
Admiral launches new estate wide fundraising campaign
Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, has launched a new estate wide fundraising campaign – Heroes of Hunger – to support local foodbanks across the UK.
As part of this initiative, each Proper Pub will take part in FoodFest and host fundraising events such as a kids fun day or music festival between 6th – 8th September 2024, coinciding with National Foodbank Day (6th September).
To collect as many items as possible to support local foodbanks, each person that brings an item for donation will be given a raffle ticket – the more items each individual brings, the more raffle tickets they will be given – to be in with a chance of winning a bar tab at their local Proper Pub. Each year, Proper Pubs looks to run a community driven campaign to support worthwhile local initiatives.
Throughout 2023, Proper Pubs tasked each of its pubs to raise the funds to have a lifesaving defibrillator installed at each site where there was an opportunity.
Having successfully completed this challenge – with 11 lives saved thanks to the outreach – Proper Pubs is now focusing on local foodbanks to support those struggling in the cost-of-living.
Proper Pubs managing director Mark Brooke said: “Choosing to support local foodbanks felt like the right thing to do given the current cost-of-living crisis, that unfortunately is affecting many people across the UK. I hope that by running this fantastic initiative and supporting such a worthwhile cause will positively impact individuals and families across the UK.
"At Proper Pubs, we have always championed community pubs because we believe they are so much more than just a place to drink and I think this campaign stands testament to that. As always, I am so grateful to our fantastic operators and their communities who are, once again, coming together to make this happen.”
August
Greene King operators win trio of CAMRA awards
The Star pub in Godalming, Surrey, which is operated by Greene King Pub Partners, leaseholders Emma and Andy Mounsey, has picked-up a hat-trick of wins from the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).
At the most recent local CAMRA awards, the pub scored the Surrey and Hampshire Border Pub of the Year, Surrey Pub of the Year and Surrey and Hampshire Border Cider Pub of the Year accolades in recognition of its incredibly well-kept and wide range of real ales.
It marked the 12th year in a row the pair, who have been at the helm of the Star for the past seven years, have won the Surrey and Hampshire Border Cider Pub of the Year, thought could be a record for any CAMRA regional award.
Emma and Andy said: “We are over the moon. To win not just one but three awards from CAMRA is remarkable.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on serving excellent beer and cider – so these awards really do mean a lot to us and our excellent team. They are the culmination of hard work and real care to ensure every pint we serve is to the highest standard.”
The pub serves a minimum of ten cask ales all on cycle at any time, covering a range of locally brewed ales and more commonly available ales across all styles including Bitters, Stouts, Golden Ales and IPAs amongst others to ensure there is something for everyone.
Alongside its extensive range, the pub also boasts a 5-Star Cask Marque accreditation, meaning its beer quality, cellar hygiene and staff service training are all to the very highest industry standards.
The Star also brews and serves four of its own beers via its on-site nano brewery, called Godalming Beer Works, which Greene King Pub Partners, the leased and tenanted division of Greene King, invested in.
Greene King Pub Partners managing director Dan Robinson said: “Many congratulations to Emma, Andy and the team at the Star for winning a hat-trick of CAMRA awards. I look forward to many more years of continued success for you through our strong partnership.”
Admiral celebrates community heroes
Community-focused multiple-operator Admiral Taverns has announced the winner of its annual Community Pub of the Year Awards, which recognises the efforts made by licensees going the extra mile to support their local area.
The Chester-based firm, which operators around 1,400 pubs across the UK, named the Old Kings Head in Worle, Somerset, as this year's winner.
Since taking over the pub in 2019 licensees Glynn and Lindsey Smith have raised more than £21,000 for a variety of charities and causes, including Weston Hospice, Help for Heroes and the British Heart Foundation. The couple has also invested in having a lifesaving defibrillator installed at the pub.
Admiral added the duo work "tirelessly" to cement the Old Kings Head at the heart of Worle, including registering the pub as a "community living room" to provide those struggling with the cost-of-living-crisis a space to come together as well as sponsoring and hosting numerous local sports teams.
Most recently, Glynn took part in a 20-mile charity walk in Bristol, joined by four regular customers, and raised £2,300 for The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. The pub also hosts an annual summer festival, ‘Kings Fest’, in aid of the local foodbank.
Glynn said: “We’re always looking for ways to support our community so it’s a real honour to have received this award. We will be splitting our charity donation between the Stroke Association and Cancer Research UK which are two causes extremely close to our hearts. I’d like to extend our thanks to Admiral, our incredible team and of course our loyal customers for their ongoing support in making this all possible.”
Meanwhile, licensees of the Three Churches pub in Lochwinnoch, Scotland, Susan Busby and Tony Simpson, received a 'highly commended' for its incredible donation of £7,000 to the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) following its annual music festival, which saw the pub's beer garden transformed into a lively festival featuring live music, games, raffles and customised t-shirts available to purchase.
Admiral Taverns chief executive Chris Jowsey commented: "I’m blown away by all the efforts of our licensees across the country, whether that is raising money for local charities or hosting coffee mornings for the elderly, they are always going above and beyond.
"At Admiral, we strongly believe that pubs are so much more than a place to drink and this stands testament to that. It’s wonderful to be able to recognise and show our appreciation for those that work tirelessly to support every aspect of community life.”
Britvic fundraising with cricket match
Drinks brand Britvic is hosting its inaugural cricket day with Lashings World X1 next month (September), raising funds for two industry charities.
The event will see some of the greatest names in cricket present on the day, providing a T20 match and plenty of entertainment on Thursday 19 September at the Old Albanians Cricket Club in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Cash will be raised for two selected good causes — Only A Pavement Away and the Licensed Trade Charity.
See here for more information.
July
Star operators awarded for 20 years of service
Two Surrey-based Star operators have been awarded to celebrate and pay tribute to their 20th anniversary.
Mark and Alison Cullinan (pictured) received the accolades after two decades at the helm of the Hard & Hounds, a 400-year old site in Godstone.
A tongue-in-cheek blue plaque was awarded to the duo, who ran a pub in Caterham before taking on the Hare & Hounds, by their local community meanwhile Star pubs celebrated the pair with a tribute.
The blue plaque from the pub's regulars reads: “To the best landlords in the world. A proper nice little boozer. Mark & Ali Cullinan. Running the Hare & Hounds, Godstone since 4th May 2004 (when they’re not on holiday).”
Mark said: “Godstone is a lovely village in a beautiful location with a real sense of community. When the previous tenants moved on we leapt at the chance to take on the lease for the Hare & Hounds and we haven’t looked back.
"It’s been a great 20 years, a real joy to run the pub. The locals are lovely and have become good friends. As for retiring, we’ve no intention of doing so. Covid gave us an insight into what life would be like if we didn’t run the Hare & Hounds, and it wasn’t very appealing.
“It’s Alison and my turn now to say thank you to our wonderful regulars for all their support over the years and for the touching plaque, albeit a cheeky one!"
The couple have worked hard to rebuild their business post -pandemic and have established a reputation for affordable pub classics done to a high standard, with Alison in charge of the kitchen as pub chef, taking pride in sourcing local ingredients and preparing dishes from scratch.
During the pandemic the Cullinan's continued to cook takeaway meals for the local community, delivering them to people’s houses, enabling them to look out for those who were socially isolated.
As well as offering great food, the pub hosts monthly open mic nights and popular psychic events every eight weeks with plans to reintroduce a pub quiz in the winter.
In addition to raising funds, Mark also helped run the local cricket club for a number of years before it had to close down as a result of the pandemic.
Star business development manager, Mark Marijnen (pictured) added: “Mark and Alison are without doubt much loved in Godstone. I am delighted to be giving them an award in recognition of their contribution to the community.
"The fact regulars have got together to create their own award to say thank you, says it all. I wish Mark and Alison many happy years ahead behind the bar and their regulars many happy days and nights in their local.”
Greene King raises over £55k for charity partner
Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise division of Greene King, has raised more than £55,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through a fundraising trade event.
The funds were raised during a Summertime Ball organised by members of the Pub Partners operations team, in accordance with Macmillan Cancer Support, which was hosted at the Double Tree by Hilton in Swindon.
The trade event was attended by more than 190 people, including Greene King Pub Partners tenants and lessees along with suppliers such as Heineken, Pernod Ricard and Worldpay.
Guests enjoyed a variety of entertainment throughout the evening and all the funds raised from the event will be used to help Macmillan Cancer Support, which Greene King is a corporate partner of.
A trade show for partners was also hosted by the South-West Pub Partners team, and offered advice and support for operators.
Greene King Pub Partners operations director Mike O’ Connor said: “A big thank you and well-done to our Partners and team in the South-West who have done an incredible job raising over £55,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through this event.
“Thank you as well to all our supporting suppliers whom without this event would not be possible. As well as having a great night of celebration for our Partners and raising funds for Macmillan, the trade show alongside the dinner I know helped several of our Partners to grow and develop their businesses.”
June
Craft Union hits £300k fundraising 'milestone'
Craft Union, the community-focused and operator-led arm of Stonegate, has announced a "significant milestone" in its 'Make it a Million' campaign by hitting the £300k mark, a third of the overall target.
Launched with the aim of raising £1m for charity, Craft Union, which runs more than 600 pubs nationwide, said the campaign had seen "incredible participation" from sites across the country.
Fundraising efforts included everything from charity auctions and raffles to sponsored events and themed parties with future initiatives planned to build on the recent success.
Craft Union managing director Frazer Grimbleby said, "We are thrilled to have reached this milestone in our 'Make it a Million' campaign. Our pubs have always been at the heart of their communities, and this campaign has shown just how powerful our collective efforts can be.
"We are incredibly grateful to our customers and operators for their unwavering support and enthusiasm in raising these vital funds for local causes.
"But our journey is far from over. With the support of our wonderful customers and the dedication of our operators, our local heroes, we are confident we will achieve our £1m goal. Every pound raised makes a difference, and we look forward to continuing this incredible journey together."
Admiral operators mark 30th anniversary
Admiral Taverns has commended a "passionate" duo who have shared their "pride" in celebrating two decades with the pubco.
Kay Grimes and Andrew Browes have been at the helm of the Gate Inn, in Troway, Derbyshire, since 1994 and became part of Admiral in 2004.
Browes commented: “This is a really exciting milestone that we are very proud to be celebrating. Over the last few decades, we have worked extremely hard to cement the Gate Inn at the heart of our amazing and close-knit community and we look forward to continuing this on for years to come.
"We would like to thank our fantastic customers and team who have made this all possible and we look forward to seeing what the future has in store.”
As a traditional community pub, the Gate Inn serves a selection of draught beers such as Theakston’s Best Bitter, Wainwright Gold and seasonal cask ales as part of its regularly rotating selection.
The pubco recently presented Grimes and Browes with a certificate to recognise their service to both the pub and local community, describing the pair as "passionate about hospitality" and having "dedicated themselves" to creating a "thriving social hub" for residents.
Admiral Business Development Manager Anthony Lowther-Knowles said: “On behalf of myself and the whole team at Admiral, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Kay and Andrew on reaching this incredible milestone.
"They have put so much hard work and commitment into creating such a fantastic space for the community and it’s been a joy to witness. We wish them the very best of luck for the future and look forward to continuing our work with them to support their vision.”
May
Pedalling for Pubs hits 'incredible' £1m milestone
Organisers of charity bike ride, Pedalling for Pubs, have announced more than £1m has been raised for sector charities Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) and Only a Pavement Away since its inception three years ago.
Pedalling for Pubs said the "incredible figure" had been achieved thanks to fundraising initiatives across both Pedalling for Pubs and Pedalling 2 Pubs and had already had a "significant impact" on improving the lives of people facing hardship across the hospitality sector.
The campaign’s debut ride took place in Jordan two years ago, and last year’s successful journey took place in Sri Lanka, meanwhile this year, 28 riders from across the sector tackled a 400km cycle across rugged terrain in Kenya, from Nairobi to the Masai Mara from the 17 to the 21 of March.
In addition, the ride's sister event, Pedalling 2 Pubs, has raised an incredible £320k, thanks to riders, donors, supporting partners and sponsors including KAM, Punch Pubs, Greene King, Avani Solutions, Fleet Street, Lucky Saint and Play it Green.
This month, 50 leaders from the hospitality industry took on the Pedalling 2 Pubs challenge for its second year, conquering 230km across North Devon’s rolling hills from the 16 to the 18 of May, with support from partners and sponsors including the BII, Polaris Elements, Greene King, Lucky Saint and Punch Pubs, all helping to add £85k to the fundraising pot, to date.
Ride founder and managing director of KAM research, Katy Moses, said: “I could never of imaged the impact this fundraising challenge would have when we started the initiative, it seems inconceivable that we’ve raised over £1m over the past three years.
"I am overwhelmed by the support we have received for the ride from across the sector. To have such momentum behind the initiative really is remarkable, it makes me proud to be part of such an incredible industry who come together year after year to support each other.
“Reaching this £1m fundraising milestone is truly amazing, I want to extend my gratitude to all those who have taken part, donated, sponsored and supported our initiative. Together, we really are changing lives."
Young's exceeds fundraising target for children's charity
London-based operator Young's & Co has shared news it has exceeded its fundraising target for children's rugby charity, Wooden Spoon, by raising £200k over the past 12-months.
As part of an ongoing partnership to give back to its local communities, Young’s joined forces with Wooden Spoon for its 2023-2024 donation drive, exceeding its original target of £150,000 by raising a total of £200,000.
Funds were raised across the pubcos 230-strong estate and central pub team through a calendar of events, promotions and fundraising initiatives, including charity dinners along with rugby-themed events for the Autumn Internationals, Rugby World Cup and Six Nations.
The donations will help support the work of various projects across the UK, including Maddy’s Mark, Dogs for Good and School of Hard Knocks, along with Wooden Spoon’s own initiatives such as local Wheelchair Rugby clubs and Pass the Plate, which supports local food banks across London.
In recognition of the fundraising success, Young’s were awarded ‘Corporate Support of the Year’ by Wooden Spoon at their annual awards.
Looking ahead to 2024-2025, Young’s has pledged to match the amount raised last year and continue to support several charity projects with the Wooden Spoon, as well as driving awareness and fundraising for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.
To hit the £200k target, upcoming plans will include a fundraising month in October, while on Young’s Day, marking the historic pub group’s 193rd birthday, every pub will aim to raise £193 through initiatives like pub garden games, bake sales, tombola and raffles for its locals.
Young's CEO Simon Dodd said: “I am tremendously proud to be supporting Wooden Spoon again this year and of the efforts of our teams across the estate, which has resulted in us exceeding our 2023 charity target to raise an incredible £200k.
"As a company, we are committed to giving back to our local communities and our relationship with Wooden Spoon allows us to support a wide range of charities whilst showcasing our love of rugby. I would like to thank every member of the Young’s team for their hard work and commitment in supporting the campaign and look forward to seeing them smash our target this year.”
Young’s added it was "proud" to support Wooden Spoon, a children’s rugby charity that funds life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland and has supported 107 charitable projects to help children and young people living with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Greene King hits biggest Tub2Pub target yet
Greene King has hit its biggest figure to date as part of its annual environmental charity initiative, Tub2Pub.
The Suffolk-based pub operator and brewer has collected 150,000 sweets and crackers tubs this year, which was six times more than in 2023 and a 500% increase on other previous totals.
It means 21 tonnes of polypropylene plastic has been saved from landfill and recycled while raising £12,600 for Greene King's official charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Greene King supply chain director Vance Fairman-Smith said: “We have been blown away by the incredible success of Tub2Pub this year.
It is brilliant how it has really captured people’s attention. These record-breaking results show just how much appetite there is for recycling and fundraising. It is great to see this increase in engagement with people and businesses across our communities.
"Huge thanks to everyone who collected the tubs to drop off at their local Greene King pub. It’s such good news for the environment and for charity."
Funds raised by the scheme, which was facilitated by recycling solutions experts co-cre8, will help the charity continue to support people living with cancer.
Since it began four years ago, Tub2Pub has collected 26,253kg of plastic, which is around 230,000 tubs, raising £23,908 for Macmillan.
Macmillan senior partnership manager Rachel Gascoigne said: “We are always so impressed by the fundraising efforts of both Greene King’s team members and its customers to do whatever it takes for people living with cancer and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has made Tub2Pub the enormous success it has been this year.
"The simple fact is that every tub recycled goes towards helping someone living with cancer. Every tub, every penny and every pound makes a difference.”
Star raises £50k for Marmalade Trust
Star Pubs & Bars, the pub arm of Heineken UK, has raised £50k for its charity partner the Marmalade Trust, which describes itself as a charity dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and helping people make new friendships.
Colleagues from across the pubco's estate took part in 10 charity walks, dubbed 'Star Turns Orange' events, to raise the funds, which will go towards loneliness awareness training in pubs and campaigns to increase understanding of the issue of loneliness in society.
Marmalade Trust founder Amy Perrin said: “We are a small charity with a big mission. We are dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and empowering people to make connections. That includes signposting people experiencing loneliness to the right support and resources to help them make new connections and friendships.
"Thanks to the money raised by Star Pubs and Heineken our reach is spreading and is also making an impact in pubs, the length and breadth of the country. We’d love more pubs to get behind Loneliness Awareness Week 2024 on 10-16 June and introduce loneliness awareness staff training.”
New research, commissioned by Star, found 50% of the 2,066 adults surveyed felt lonely at least once a week while a tenth of respondents (11%) felt lonely everyday, with the most common time of day to feel lonely found to be on weekday evenings.
The research also revealed pubs played a critical role in addressing loneliness, with three quarters of pubgoers visiting the on-trade to connect with other people in their community.
In addition, more than half (55%) of respondents said they would like go on more nights out but do not get asked, while 88% felt social hubs, such as pubs, were important to prevent loneliness and make connections.
Furthermore, two thirds of people thought it was important for pubs to create events for the community while four out of 10 said it was important for them to support charity.
Since making the Marmalade Trust its official charity partner last year, Star has raised more than £100,000 on its behalf through a range of activities, from a gala ball to quizzes and cake sales.
Star managing director Lawson Mountstevens said: “We can all feel lonely at times. It is not exclusive to one age group or situation.
"Our research shows the scale of loneliness and how the current worrying times are exacerbating the issue. It also reveals the vital role pubs play in alleviating loneliness, acting as social hubs.
"We’re delighted to help fundraise on behalf of Marmalade Trust and to highlight the issue of loneliness in society.”
Stonegate hits £500k charity milestone
Stonegate Group has hit a fundraising milestone of half-a-million pounds as part of its ongoing commitment to charity partner the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND) and MND Scotland.
The UK's largest pub company's managed network as well as its support and operational teams collaborated to raise the funds, which will go towards combating Motor Neurone Disease.
Commemorating the achievement, a cheque presentation event was held at the Fatling pub in Hornchurch, London, on Wednesday 8 May.
Stonegate Group CEO David McDowell said: “I'm proud to say we have raised an incredible £500,000 for our corporate charity partners, the MND Association and MND Scotland, demonstrating our collective commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by motor neurone disease.
"Together, via our incredible pub teams and wonderful colleagues in our support teams, we've not only raised funds but also awareness. Thank you to everyone involved for your tireless efforts and generosity.”
Other charity activities taken part in by the Stonegate community have ranged from epic walks along the South-East, conquering 30 miles of the great British Jurassic Coastline, to hosting dinner dances, quizzes, raffles and more.
Furthermore, the company said it remains dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by motor neurone disease through ongoing fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
MND Association director of external affairs Chris James said: “Throughout the partnership with the MND Association, we’ve seen a multitude of innovative and creative fundraising challenges from Stonegate and these look set to continue over the coming months – all of which will further our vital support for people affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
April
Fuller's raises more than £28k for charity partner
Team members from across the Fuller, Smith and Turner estate have raised more than £28k for the pubco's charity partner, Special Olympics GB, as part of its third annual 'Bridge Walk'.
On Tuesday 30 April, 14 0 people from both Fuller’s and Special Olympics GB walked 20 miles between two Fuller’s pubs – The Bell & Crown in Chiswick and The Conductor, Farringdon, raising £28,500.
The funds will help support regular sporting opportunities that can transform the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Fuller's chief executive Simon Emeny said: “It was great to see so many of our colleagues out fundraising for Special Olympics GB, which has been our charity partner since 2018.
"This was our third Bridge Walk and it was the biggest one yet. It was an honour to have some of the Special Olympics GB athletes join us on the day – including Lloyd Martin who recently set a new record as the youngest person with Down Syndrome to complete the London Marathon.
"Days like this are a fantastic way for our team members to meet some of the people their fundraising supports.”
The walkers set off from The Bell & Crown by Kew Bridge first thing in the morning. Their first stop, after crossing two bridges on the route, was The Red Lion in Barnes and from there they walked to The Mason’s Arms in Battersea – crossing two more bridges along the way.
Next, participants visited The Mason’s Arms before heading onto The Banker by Canon Street station, crossing nine bridges along the Thames.
The final part of the walk was a short, four mile walk – including two more bridges and weaving its way through the City – from The Banker to The Conductor. The full walk was just over 20 miles and took around eight hours to complete.
Special Olympics GB CEO Laura Baxter MBE said: “Thank you, once again, to Fuller’s for organising another fantastic day. The Bridge Walk is not only about raising vital funds for Special Olympics GB – but about strengthening our partnership.
"I know the nine athletes present today really enjoyed getting to know our friends at Fuller’s and spirits were high all day – down to the last mile of the walk. We are all looking forward to next year’s event.”
Stonegate property team taking on Snowdon for charity
Some 26 members of the UK's largest pub company's property team are preparing to climb the highest mountain in Wales to raise money for the Motor Neuron Disease Association.
Stonegate's property team will come together on 3 July to take on the Snowdon challenge, which has been spearheaded by head of property Jonathan Guise.
The group will be taking the Llanberis path, which is the longest route, stretching 14.5km with a 3199ft ascent.
Stonegate director of property Andy Cavanagh said: "MND Association and Stonegate have a longstanding relationship and the team are always looking for creative ways to fundraise for this worthy cause.
"I'm proud we have rallied 26 willing volunteers for our Snowdon hike challenge and we've been amazed by the funds raised so far.
"It will certainly be a challenge to climb Snowdon but we've got a determined team who are dedicated to the cause."
While the team have a £15,000 fundraising goal, they are looking to surpass it and at the time of publication, had reached more than a third of the target.
Joseph Holt appoints its 'youngest landlady'
Manchester-based business Joseph Holt has hired its youngest ever landlady.
Zoe Carnan, aged 25, has been appointed to run the Clock Tower in Northwich, Cheshire.
The licensee has launched free weekly salsa lessons for customers, one of the many new initiatives she is planning at the pub.
She said: "I was approached by a customer who comes from Venezuela and he told me he really wanted to do something for the local community. As an experienced salsa dance, he suggested offering complimentary sessions at the pub.
"I thought it sounded such fun, so lively as well a great form of exercise. It was also likely to be a new experience for lots of people so I immediately said yes to the idea. Our classes cater for all levels and abilities and unlike other places that offer lessons are free.
"So, it really is an open invitation to enjoy the rhythms of this wonderful Latin dance."
Zoe has worked for the family-owned firm for seven years, starting with a casual bar work role while at college. She has worked her way up after completing a qualification in health and social care and gradually, Zoe assumed more management responsibility before being offered the chance to take over the Clock Tower.
She added: "It's quite a steep learning curve but also extremely exciting too. Pubs today are so much more than places to have a beer or something to eat.
"Joseph Holt pubs are at the heart of the community and host so many activities, social groups, events and more. Salsa sessions are just the start of what is going to be an exciting new phase for the Clock Tower."
The business has been in the same family for six generations and is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, which it is marking with a commemorative lager.
Operation director Mark Norbury said: "Joseph Holt offers so many career opportunities and many entry level staff have worked their way up to managing their own pubs.
"Zoe is a great example of this as well as a huge asset to the brewery. We are all delighted to see her hard work, enthusiasm and enterprise being recognised at such a young age. I'm sure under her stewardship, the Clock Tower will go from strength to strength."
March
Last month (March) was The Morning Advertiser’s Publican Awards. Businesses from across the sector and across the country were celebrated and honoured with the prestigious awards.
You can read more the winners here.
Following this, The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington wrote about why we should appreciate the positives within the industry.
Just this week, licensees of a village pub celebrated 40 years at their Suffolk-based site. Barry and Jane Waterman took on the White Horse in Beyton – a Greene King Pub Partners venue – in 1984.
The pair have operated pubs in partnership with Greene King for a total of 47 years, starting at their first pub in Cambridge in 1977, making them among Greene King’s longest serving tenants.
Furthermore, the recent Easter bank holiday proved positive for a number of operators. Lincoln-based business Strait and Narrow saw a strong lead up to the long weekend.
Operator Jez Nash said Good Friday (29 March) was the best ever for the site, with the bar three deep at midday.
Sunshine in Suffolk meant the Unruly Pig in Bromeswell had a “cracking bank holiday weekend’s trade”, owner Brendan Padfield told The Morning Advertiser.
On the subject of weather, while it was a stormy night on Thursday 28 March, even the front door being blown off didn’t stop customers flocking to the Kings Arms in Bexleyheath, Kent during the Easter period.
Licensee Pete Marshall labelled the weekend as “positive” with lots of great customer feedback and lots of fun.
Sticking with Easter, Proper Pubs – the community wet-led division of Admiral Taverns – successfully collected more than 17,600 chocolate eggs to donate to communities in need across England, Scotland and Wales.
Since the beginning of March, each Proper Pub has been encouraged to collect as many chocolate Easter eggs as possible to try to ensure as many people across the UK have a sweet treat to look forward to.
Every pub chose a selection of local initiatives to donate to with one pub – the Queens in Bredbury, Stockport – collecting more than 1,000 Easter eggs for cancer treatment centre The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
