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8th April 2020

Stonegate Manager uses 3D-printers to make PPE for NHS on the frontline

Furloughed General Manager of the Junction Tap, on Chertsey Road in Woking, Cee-Jay Williams, and his friend, Tim Charlesworth, are using 3D printers to help make Personal Protective Equipment for frontline healthcare workers. The NHS is struggling with a deficit of 80,000 clips used to attach the protective plastic visors for doctors and nurses working closely with Coronavirus patients.

The two are a part of a wider group whose first batch of over 1000 sterilised clips will be collected by the DPD and taken to be distributed to hospitals throughout the UK today.

Cee-Jay decided to join the fight against COVID-19 after seeing the story of a group in Italy using their own printers to adapt diving masks into protective gear on Facebook. He and Tim then resolved to find their own way to help NHS workers in the UK, and after some trial and error, perfected the attachment clips.

Cee-Jay said, “Now we’ve mastered the technique we should be able to make a lot more – and fast! I’ve bulk ordered more of the filament needed to create the clips and then it’s back to printing. Tim and I decided that’s what we needed to make after reading online that the NHS was missing so many of them – there is an abundance of visors, but not enough clips for people to use them.

“I hope that we can make a real difference to our amazing NHS and help them to continue to do the incredible job they are doing for the people of this country. I can’t thank them enough for the work they do for us every day, but hopefully, this small gesture goes some way to show all of our appreciation.”

So far 659 members of the UK’s 3D-printing community have made nearly 17,000 face mask clips for the NHS.

– Ends –

About Stonegate Pub Company

Following the acquisition of Ei Group on 3rd March 2020 for £1.27bn, Stonegate Pub Company is the largest pub company in the UK.  Its portfolio is comprised of 1270 sites within the managed division and 3457 leased and tenanted businesses.

The managed pubs division, which employs 17,000 people, is split into Branded and Traditional pubs. Branded is comprised of: Slug & Lettuce, Walkabout, Be At One and Venues. Traditional (unbranded) pubs is made up of: Proper Pubs, Town Pub & Kitchen, Classic Inns, Common Room, Craft Union and Bermondsey Pub Group.

For more information, contact: Jess Curnock Cook on jesscurnockcook@leisurepr.co.uk

2020

  • REBA Employee Wellbeing Awards – Best New Wellbeing Strategy (5000+ staff)
  • Publican Awards – Best Pub Employer (501+ employees)

2019

  • BII’s National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs): HR Manager of the Year – Lee Woolley
  • CGA Insight Hero and Icon Awards (two awards): Icon Award – Ian Payne MBE, Business Leader, Simon Longbottom
  • UK Hospitality’s Dusk ‘til Dawn Late Night Awards (two awards) – Icon Award (Ian Payne MBE), Best Marketing and Promotions Award
  • Great British Pub Awards – Best LGBTQ+ Pub
  • BII Scotland Awards – Best Operator for Training
  • Retailers’ Retailer of the Year (two awards): Lifetime Achievement Award – Ian Payne MBE, Investor of the Year – TDR Capital
  • Menu Innovation & Development Awards (MIDAS) (two awards): Best Menu – Premium High Street Pub: Slug & Lettuce; Best Menu – Town & City Pub: Walkabout
  • Publican Awards (five awards): Best Community Pub Operator, Best Pub Employer (501+ employees), Best Managed Pub Company (51+ sites), Best Drinks Offer, Business Leader of the Year – Chief Executive, Simon Longbottom

2018

  • British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) – Chairman’s Award
  • UK Hospitality’s Dusk ‘til Dawn Late Night Awards: Best Service & Team
  • Licensed Trade Charity: Outstanding Corporate Contribution Award
  • Great British Pub Awards (two awards): Best LGBTQ+ and Best Sports Pub
  • APPBG PUBAID Corporate Charity Fundraiser Award 
  • Publican Awards: Best Late Night Operator

2017

  • Great British Pub Awards (three awards): Best Pub Garden, Best Entertainment and Best Sports Pub
  • Publican Awards (two awards): Best Managed Pub Company; Best Late Night Operator, plus highly commended – Best Employer 501+ employees
  • Menu Innovation and Development Award (MIDAS): Premium High Street Pub – Town Pub & Kitchen
  • Retailers’ Retailer Award: Investor of the Year – TDR Capital

2016

  • BII National Industry Training Awards (NITAs) (two awards): Best Managed Company for Training; Lifetime Achievement Award for Chairman, Ian Payne
  • Great British Pub Awards: Best Sports Pub
  • Scottish Training Federation: Best Large Employer
  • HR Excellence Awards: Best Learning and Development Strategy
  • HR Distinction Awards: Innovation for Digital & Social Media

2015

  • HR Distinction Awards: People Development

2014

  • HR Distinction: Innovative Use of Technology
  • Publican Awards: Business Leader of the Year, Chairman Ian Payne
  • Menu Innovation and Development Award (MIDAS): Best New Concept Missoula, Montana Bar & Grill

2013

  • Publican Award – Best Pub Employer 51+ sites
  • Menu Innovation and Development Award (MIDAS): City and Bar Dining – Slug and Lettuce