Best Community Pub Operator sponsored by Britvic – Craft Union Pub Company

The company has a three-step programme for success – great people, great design and great choice and value.

Amid the pandemic, Craft Union created an online network on Facebook to unite everyone involved in business from operators to support teams to be on hand to help with fundraising ideas, engagement inspiration and best practice.

Charity work

The firm has teamed up with hospitality charity Only A Pavement Away (OAPA) on campaigns such as Tears for Tiers, which saw members of the ‘Craft Squad’ help organise food banks and started a toy appeal to ensure every local child woke up with a Christmas present.

Furthermore, the business also teamed up with OAPA on the Winter Warmth campaign where some pubs held ‘Fill A Flask’ events in January and handed out Winter Warmth back packs to rough sleepers and homeless hostels.

It raised more than £8,000 for the charity, which went to setting up four regional Winter Warmth events where operators, Craft Union team and support team members gave out 480 bags to the homeless with warm clothes, toiletries and flasks.

Dedication to communities

In addition, during the Euros football tournament last summer, Craft Union raised more than £95,000 for local charities via events such as football-related games and quizzes held by individual pubs with the money going into each of the site’s local community causes to give back to the people at the heard of local areas.

It has supported hundreds of charities over the past year, resulting in raising a six-figure sum.

Previous winner of this award, Craft Union once again impressed the judges with its dedication to communities up and down the country.