Perhaps the most innovative relationship in the past year has been with the MOBO Organisation, the people behind the eponymous music awards, which has opened its first pub with Greene King in south London, and as part of the deal is helping the company find new partners from under-represented communities.
Record year
It’s been a record year for investment in the estate with £27m spent on upgrades and maintenance, while partners have also been supported through challenging conditions.
Business development managers have received special training to equip them to give financial advice on managing rising costs, understanding their market and improving the pub’s profitability.
Partner training has also been enhanced with the opening of a new Learning & Development Centre in Northampton and the launch of an innovative e-learning platform.
Brand reputation
Sustainability continues to be a key strand of the company’s Greene King for Good strategy, and trials are under way to better understand the best ways of reducing carbon emissions and cutting energy costs.
With an average tenure running at more than eight years and a satisfaction score of 78% in the PCA Tied Pub Tenant survey, it seems like partners are appreciating it, and the company is attracting more applicants, too, thanks to a strong brand reputation and a new recruitment website.
In all, Greene King is demonstrating in many ways how fresh ideas and a clear vision of how it can give its partners the best chance of success is helping put pubs back at the heart of their communities.
