Why did Stonegate feel it was important to establish an LGBTQ+ network?
Stonegate Group has always believed that pubs, bars and venues are about far more than the drinks they serve.
They are places of belonging, safety and connection. Establishing an LGBTQ+ division and network reflects the responsibility that comes with operating venues that sit at the heart of LGBTQ+ life.
The network ensures these venues remain deeply embedded in the communities they serve, with a genuine understanding of their history, purpose and evolving needs.
It also gives colleagues a platform to influence decisions, shape standards and protect what makes these spaces so important. For both guests and teams, it reinforces that they are in places where they are welcomed, respected and free to be their authentic selves.
What is the core purpose of the LGBTQ+ division today?
The core purpose is to run commercially successful venues while protecting and celebrating their place within LGBTQ+ culture.
That means delivering strong operational performance, while remaining authentic, visible and genuinely connected to the communities that rely on these spaces.
These venues are both businesses and cultural institutions. Balancing those responsibilities ensures they remain safe, welcoming and relevant, while continuing to thrive commercially.
How does it influence decisions that affect pub teams on the ground?
The division provides direct operational insight into what these venues need to succeed. That insight helps shape decisions around safety, training, marketing, events, staffing, partnerships, investment and standards.
It ensures decisions are made with real understanding of the environments these venues operate in, rather than through a generic lens. As a result, teams are better supported, more confident and better equipped to deliver great guest experiences.
What changes have come directly from feedback within the network?
Feedback from the network has led to practical changes across the business. This includes how we approach guest safety and incident response, the tone and visibility of campaigns, the partnerships we prioritise with community organisations, and how we support teams during key cultural moments such as Pride.
It has also influenced how we think about venue identity, moving away from a one‑size‑fits‑all approach and recognising that authenticity and individuality are central to long‑term success.
How is the network supported and taken seriously at senior leadership level?
The network is taken seriously because it is directly linked to both people and performance. Senior leaders engage with the division regularly, visit venues, review initiatives, support investment decisions and proudly champion the vital role our venues play.
Crucially, there is recognition that these venues play a wider role in their communities. The division is not treated as an add‑on, but embedded into operational discussions, commercial planning and community strategy.
How do you measure whether the network is actually making a difference?
We look at this through several lenses. Colleague feedback is key, whether people feel included, supported and proud to work in the business. Guest response also matters, from reputation and feedback to levels of community engagement.
Commercial performance is another important indicator. When venues feel safe, relevant and authentically connected to their communities, that is reflected in loyalty, sales and event success. Ultimately, the real measure is whether teams and guests genuinely feel the difference day to day.
What challenges do LGBTQ+ colleagues still face in hospitality?
There is still work to do around confidence, consistency, representation and safety. Hospitality is a public‑facing industry, and LGBTQ+ colleagues can still encounter abuse or prejudice in ways others may not.
There can also be tension between commercial pressures and preserving authenticity. The challenge is ensuring colleagues never feel they have to leave part of themselves at the door, and that LGBTQ+ venues are properly supported all year round, not only at high‑profile moments.
What is the division’s proudest achievement?
The proudest achievement is helping to protect and strengthen venues that genuinely matter to people. These are not just successful businesses; they are places with history, identity and deep emotional significance.
Having a division dedicated to championing these venues, supporting the teams behind them and keeping community at the centre of decision‑making is something to be proud of. Recognition through partnerships, fundraising, team engagement and industry awards reflects that impact.
What should other pub operators take away from Stonegate’s approach?
The importance of truly understanding the diversity of communities and recognising that inclusivity cannot be treated as a seasonal or marketing‑led activity.
Authenticity, safety and community connection should be embedded into strategy, investment and operations. When done properly, they are not in conflict with commercial success, they are often the reason for it.
What are the division’s plans for the future?
The focus is on strengthening venue identity, deepening community partnerships and continuing to support teams even better. There is also a strong focus on evolving the guest experience to ensure venues remain relevant for future generations.
The ambition is not simply to preserve LGBTQ+ hospitality, but to help it continue to grow, adapt and thrive, while protecting the character and history that make these venues so important.
