Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest operator of LGBTQIA+ venues, is launching its ‘Serving With Pride’ campaign to coincide with Pride Month on June 1 2024.
The campaign highlights Stonegate’s commitment to inclusivity, transforming its venues into vibrant hubs of celebration and unity throughout Pride Month and beyond.
‘Serving with Pride’ builds on last year’s success, uniting all venues under a banner of allyship and celebration. The goal is clear: to ensure its spaces are safe and welcoming for everyone, allowing guests and teams to express their true selves without fear of prejudice.
To celebrate, Stonegate venues will offer a range of Pride-themed drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Featured drinks include HUK and HUK Zero, plus the new cocktail in a can, the Dirty Shirley, and its virgin version, the Shirley Bassey, in partnership with The Drinks Bureau.
This year, Stonegate is partnering with Stonewall Housing, a leading national charity supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals facing homelessness or unsafe living conditions. For every sponsored drink sold during the campaign, 10p will be donated to Stonewall Housing, funding their essential services like housing advice, advocacy and specialised support.
David McDowall, Stonegate Group CEO, said: “Here at Stonegate Group, our mission is to bring people together. We are truly proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community and to be able to bring them together in our venues during Pride and beyond. Our month-long Serving with Pride campaign reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and our dedication to providing safe, welcoming venues for everyone to enjoy.”
All Managed Stonegate sites will receive a ‘Pride in a Box’ kit, packed with window stickers, flags, bunting, badges, garnish flags, posters and menu table talkers to create a festive and welcoming atmosphere. A permanent ‘Serving with Pride’ window sticker will also be displayed at all Stonegate venues, symbolising its lasting commitment to inclusivity.
Stonegate kicked off Pride celebrations with a vibrant float at the Birmingham Pride Parade on May 25, featuring fabulous drag queen Karla Bear, winner of Drag Idol 2019. The celebrations will continue throughout June and the summer, culminating in a special event in September to highlight the campaign’s achievements and thank our teams and guests for their support.
Stonegate Group invites everyone to join in celebrating Pride throughout June and beyond!
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Stonegate Group
Stonegate Group is the largest pub company in the UK. Its portfolio is comprised of over 4,500 sites, split across managed, operator led and leased and tenanted businesses.
The managed pubs division, which employs just under 16,000 people, is split into Branded and Traditional pubs. Branded is comprised of: Slug & Lettuce, Popworld, Be At One and the Venues division. Traditional (unbranded) pubs are made up of: Proper Pubs, Pub & Dining and Social Pub & Kitchen.
To date, over 12,000 employees have engaged with the various training programmes Stonegate Group offer, with over 600 Deputy Managers across the estate having been promoted to management roles.
The leased and tenanted estate, Stonegate Pub Partners, is made up of over 3,000 diverse sites whilst operator led Craft Union is currently made up of over 500 community pubs.
The business is multi award-winning for the training and development of its people and business success including:
BII’s National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs): HR Manager of the Year, multiple times; Best Apprenticeship Training Programme (ATOP). Best Managed Company for Training.
REBA Employee Wellbeing Awards – Best New Wellbeing Strategy (5000+ staff);
Publican Awards – Best Pub Employer (501+ employees) multiple times; Best Community Operator (Craft Union Pub Company) multiple times; Best Managed Pub Company multiple times.
Great British Pub Awards – Best LGBTQ+ operator multiple times; Best Sports Pub multiple times; Best Pub Garden, Best Entertainment; Best pub to watch sport; Community Mindfulness
Licensed Trade Charity Awards raising awareness through fundraising
UK Hospitality’s Dusk ‘til Dawn Late Night Awards Best Marketing and Promotions Award; Best Service & Team; Best late Night Operator
HR Excellence Awards: Best Learning and Development Strategy
HR Distinction Awards: Innovation for Digital & Social Media; People Development; Innovative Use of Technology
And awards for charity contribution including Licensed Trade Charity: Outstanding Corporate Contribution Award; APPBG PUBAID Corporate Charity Fundraiser Award
Contact: Hannah Leeland, hannahleeland@leisurepr.co.uk
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