Pubs with Purpose will highlight the positive impact the sector has across the country in the coming weeks and months.
From supporting grassroots sports teams and fundraising local charities to tackling loneliness creating safe spaces and bringing generations together, every day, pubs and the teams in them go above and beyond to deliver more than just food and drink.
Now, more than ever, we want to spotlight the incredible work that’s going on all across the sector, despite the rampant costs and turbulent trading conditions operators continue to battle against.
Pubs with Purpose has been backed by a number of leading voices in the sector including Stonegate Group, Diageo, Admiral, Greene King, Marston’s, Punch Pubs & Co as well as being supported by trade bodies the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and UKHospitality (UKH) alongside the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC).
Stonegate Group CEO David McDowall said: “Pubs, bars and venues have always been about so much more than food and drink. They bring people together, create connections and provide a safe and welcoming place where people can feel a real sense of belonging right in the heart of their local community.
“Across our business, we see every single day the positive impact our pubs and teams have on the communities they serve. That’s why we’re proud to support Pubs with Purpose and help celebrate the vital role pubs play right across the UK.”
A Diageo spokesperson described pubs as part of the fabric of communities across the nation.
They added: “They’re places where people come together, friendships are formed and shared moments happen – whether that’s over a match, a local event or catching up with friends and family. We’re proud to support Pubs with Purpose in celebrating the important role pubs play in bringing people together every day.
“At Guinness, we know it’s the people behind the bar who make these places so special. That’s something we’ve championed through our recent Unsung Heroes campaign, recognising the incredible pub teams who go above and beyond to create memorable experiences for their customers.”
Greene King Pub Partners managing director Dan Robinson reiterated the sentiment that pubs are much more than venues to eat and drink at.
Important community hubs
He added: “The people behind our pubs are what make them such important community hubs.
“Our leased, tenanted and franchise partners live and work in the communities they serve, giving them a genuine connection to local people and causes.
“Whether it’s fundraising, providing warm spaces for groups to gather, sponsoring local sports teams or hosting community events, they make a difference every day through the pubs they run.
“It’s important we recognise the role pubs play in bringing communities together and celebrate the operators who go above and beyond for the people they serve. That’s why we’re proud to support Pubs with Purpose and help showcase the positive impact pubs and operators have in communities across the country.”
Furthermore, Admiral’s Proper Pubs managing director Nathan Wall described pubs as the cornerstone of the UK’s towns and villages.
He added: “They serve as vital social hubs where people can come together, connect, and support one another.
“One of the greatest strengths of community pubs is that no two are the same. Each is shaped by its local area, its customers and the people behind the bar.
“While the core of a great pub is timeless, the pubs that are run by operators who really get stuck into their community and build deep bonds with their customers are the ones who thrive long-term.”
Punch Pubs & CO CEO Andy Spencer outlined the impact pubs have on their customers and the local area they serve.
He reiterated how pubs offer far more than a pint and a meal and are places where connections are made and communities are supported.
The pub company boss said: “Every day across our estate we see publicans making a real difference, whether that’s tackling loneliness, creating opportunities for young people, raising vital funds for charities or providing a welcoming space for all.
“That’s why we’re delighted to support the launch of The Morning Advertiser’s Pubs with Purpose campaign. It shines a light on the extraordinary contribution pubs make beyond their economic value and celebrates the positive impact they have on people’s lives.”
Furthermore, Spencer cited a report the pub company compiled with a university, which quantified the value of the trade.
“Our recent social value research with Northumbria University, Newcastle found Punch pubs deliver up to £1.7bn in economic and social value to the UK each year, with the average pub contributing up to £1.3m annually to its local community," he added.
“It reinforces what many of us have long known; when pubs thrive, communities thrive too. This campaign provides an important opportunity to recognise the people behind that impact and share examples that inspire others across our brilliant sector.”
Perfect way to highlight
Bethan Wheatley, general counsel & company secretary at Marston’s, and co-chair of Marston’s Sustainability Taskforce, also noted the wider contribution pubs play.
She said: “At Marston’s, we believe great pubs can be a positive force for the people and places around them. That belief underpins our own Pubs with Purpose strategy, which recognises the wider contribution our pubs make through the jobs and opportunities they create, the local causes and economies they support, and the welcoming spaces they provide where people can connect, come together and feel a sense of belonging.
“That’s why we’re delighted to support The Morning Advertiser’s campaign and help shine a light on the many different ways pubs make a positive difference every day.”
The importance of the social value of the sector was echoed by BII boss Steve Alton.
“Pubs are the heart and soul of communities across the UK, delivering so much social value to their customers, teams and beyond,” he said.
“From vital support for local charities, to providing a safe space for all to connect and come together, they deserve to be recognised and championed. Pubs with Purpose is the perfect way to highlight and share all of the incredible ways that our pubs matter in every postcode.”
Fellow trade body UKH boss Allen Simpson laid out a plethora of ways in which pubs are vital hubs.
“Pubs have been at the heart of British life for centuries and they are tightly woven into our identity and culture as a nation. Not only are they supporting our economies and employing local people, but they do so much for the communities we live in,” he said.
“The Sunday lunch that brings the family together, the coffee morning that supports those who may feel vulnerable or lonely, setting the stage for the end of season awards for the local football team. The list goes on and on, and so does the number of people, clubs, charities and initiatives our pubs support.
“The pub often goes about its business without any fanfare, when it deserves as much as possible. I’m pleased The Morning Advertiser is launching its Pubs with Purpose project to celebrate the pubs and people that make the difference supporting their communities.”
LTC CEO Chris Welham repeated comments about how the impact of pubs goes beyond the bar.
He added: “At the LTC, we recognise that it’s the people working in pubs who make this possible. Their dedication, care and commitment are at the heart of these communities, which is why supporting their wellbeing is so important.
“By ensuring people working in licensed hospitality have access to the right support when they need it, we can help them live well, thrive at work and continue making a positive difference to the communities they serve.”
- Do you go above and beyond for your community? We want to hear from you. Let The Morning Advertiser deputy editor Nikkie Thatcher know at nikkie.thatcher@wrbm.com or on 01293 610388.