The Open To All charter, which is the first of its kind for the sector, helps businesses within the pub and brewing sector embed and improve diversity and inclusion across their operation and venues.
Supporters, from operators and trade associations to charities, are organisation that recognised the value of the charter and its aim to welcome and embrace all.
New supporters include the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA), Drinkaware, Hospitality Ulster, Licensed Trade Charity (LTC), Only A Pavement Away (OAPA), National Association of Cider Makers, National Pubwatch, Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Portman Group, Pub Is The Hub, Scotch Whisky Association, Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), Wine GB, WSTA, UKHospitality (UKH), and WiHTL.
Pub and brewery companies that sign up to the Charter commit to putting diversity and inclusion across the board, no matter the role or level of staff member.
This includes placing diversity and inclusion on board-level agendas and ensuring it forms part of ongoing business and future strategy.
It also includes appointing a senior leader of the business as a diversity and inclusion champion who regularly engages in training opportunities and events.
Deeper understanding
Those who have signed up to the Charter include Fuller’s, which has focused on increasing the number of staff who are neurodiverse or have intellectual disabilities.
The company commissioned a guide that gives staff the confidence and skills to hire team members from this underrepresented section of the community and it has beaten its recruitment targets.
Meanwhile, Punch Pubs & Co. teamed up with Ask For Clive, a charity that helps venues promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and stamp out discrimination.
They also worked with Calm In A Box to provide their pubs and staff with webinars that promote mental wellbeing, with topics including how managing anxiety and coping with the menopause.
Meanwhile pub company and brewer Greene King launched its Reverse Mentoring programme in 2022.
Since then it has paired more than 70 of its leaders with team members from its Employee-Led Inclusion Groups.
The scheme allows leaders to gain a new perspective on the business, to witness and have a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities there are for people from under-represented backgrounds.
In addition, the company recently launched its “Customer Promise”, which reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all customers.
Another BBPA member, Heineken UK, focused on training staff with a guide that has led to greater confidence in serving disabled customers, which led to improved interactions and customer satisfaction.
Inclusive environments
The Open To All Charter aims to boost the industry’s efforts to nurture inclusive environments by setting out key commitments.
To support these commitments, the BBPA developed a comprehensive toolkit, providing practical guidance for members about how to incorporate the commitments.
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “In just three short years our industry has come a long way in being more inclusive and diverse, which can only be a good thing for their staff and customers.
“Our members have spearheaded fantastic, practical initiatives, and there are so many individuals who have led from the front and made sure their workplaces are truly Open To All.
“I am proud of every single one of our supporters who are helping to ensure our sector continues to welcome all who step through the door.”
Greene King chief executive and BBPA chairman, Nick Mackenzie, added: “The pub has been an important part of society for centuries, and for it to continue to be so, it is crucial we create social spaces where everyone feels welcome.
“Through the combined efforts of our industry, we are making great strides in our ambition to make sure everyone feels like they belong.
“By sharing learnings, ideas and initiatives enables us all to build on this success, so we can all play a part in bringing greater diversity and representation to the hospitality sector.”
