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By Matt Furnell, 25/05/2010 2:38 pm

Date: Saturday, 25th May 2010
Time: 1pm onwards
Venue: The White Lion pub, 40 Linkfield Street, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 6BY 

To kick off the bank holiday weekend, one of the area’s most popular pubs, the White Lion pub in Redhill is hosting a Help for Heroes charity event for all the family, in a bid to raise thousands for charity.

From 7pm, there will be a charity auction hosted by Paralympics Gold medallist, Kelvin Daniels.  There will be an opportunity to bid for signed F1, rugby, cricket and football memorabilia.

Pub Landlord, John Connolly and his staff at the White Lion pub will be on hand from 1pm to kick off the fundraising activities, which include:
- Live bands throughout the day
- Sponsored Tug-o-War
- Craft and activity stalls by local shops
- Army stand with rifle shooting
- Raffle with items donated by local companies
John, said,  “There will be something for everyone and we are anticipating a crowd of around 300 people on the day.  The support so far has been amazing and I’d to thank all those who are joining in with our fundraising drive, especially those who have donated prizes, helping to make a difference.”

Gary Stewart, Greene King regional manager for the White Lion pub, said:
“We have been really impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm from John in launching this charity day.  It is so impressive that a local pub can host such a fantastic event for its customers, highlighting the important role that the pub plays within the local community.”

The Help for Heroes charity supports British soldiers who have been injured in conflict.

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For further information on the event, please contact Hew Leith hewl@consolidatedpr.com or Lottie Dutton lottied@consolidatedpr.com on 020 7781 2300 or 07917 417651.

Notes to Editors:

About Greene King

Greene King Pub Partners has over 1,300 tenanted and leased pubs in the UK and is part of Greene King, the brewing and beer business responsible for Greene King IPA, the country’s best selling cask beer.

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By Matt Furnell, 08/12/2009 2:13 pm

7 December 2009

Greene King plc today announces the retirement of David Elliott as Managing Director of Pub Partners, its tenanted pub division, and the appointment of Simon Longbottom as his successor.

After eleven years with Greene King and over 25 years in the industry, David Elliott, the current Managing Director of Pub Partners, has decided to retire. During his time at Pub Partners, David has overseen significant growth: from 620 to over 1,300 tenanted pubs and from £32 million of operating profit in 1998 to £71 million in 2008/9.  More recently, David and his team have been managing the division effectively through the current tough trading environment and delivering improved performance trends.

David will stay with Greene King until 31 January 2010 when he will also stand down from the Board.

Rooney Anand, Chief Executive of Greene King, commented:

“In the eleven years that he has been here, David has made a significant contribution to Pub Partners both in terms of growing profitability and the size and quality of the overall estate. 

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks and best wishes from everyone here at Greene King and wish him all the best for the future.”

Simon Longbottom (37), who will join the company on 1 February 2010, has spent his career working in the leisure industry.  He has particularly strong commercial and operations experience in the pub sector. 

He joins Greene King from Gala Coral Group where he was Managing Director of its Gaming Group.  Simon started his career at Bass Taverns and has since held senior positions at Mill House Inns and Mitchells & Butlers, with over 11 years experience in the pub sector.

Rooney Anand further commented:

“We are delighted that Simon Longbottom is joining the team at Greene King.  Simon has significant and highly relevant experience in the pub and leisure sectors, which will be invaluable to Pub Partners, particularly as we continue to take a leadership role in the adaptation and ongoing improvement of the tenanted pub model.”
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Enquiries:

Greene King plc Rooney Anand, Chief Executive Tel: 01284 763222
Financial Dynamics Ben Foster Tel: 020 7831 3113

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By Matt Furnell, 20/10/2009 1:52 pm

The Victoria pub in Thurston is holding a Remembrance week of events from the 2^nd to 11^th November in aid of Help the Heroes charity.  The pub is keen to see war time memorabilia from locals and customers as well as current serving military personnel and in response they get the chance of a two course meal for just £4.95, as near as the pub could get it to war time prices.

Speaking about the event, licensee David Taylor said, “We’re really looking forward to seeing what people turn up with.  We’re sure to see lots of medals but I can’t wait to see what other things people have saved from the war.  It will also be great to be able to welcome serving military personnel as part of the Remembrance Week”.

Food has been donated or heavily discounted by local suppliers to enable the pub to offer such a great deal and ensure more customers tip and buy raffle tickets, with all the proceeds going in the charity pot.  The week will culminate with a Remembrance Sunday lunch which anyone can enjoy for the same price as long as they bring war time memorabilia.

Adding, David said, “Everyone sacrificed so much in the war and are still doing so now throughout the world and I think bringing people together in common recognition of this and to talk about old times will be a great event for young and old alike, and raising money in the process is all the better”.

Speaking about the event, Craig Renforth, Regional Manager for Greene King, the owners of the pub, said, “David has created a week with a difference which certainly puts this great little pub at the centre of the community, I’m sure it will be a lot of fun, exactly what a pub should do for it’s local area”.

 For more details of the Victoria’s Remembrance Week contact David Taylor on 01359 230951.

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By Matt Furnell, 25/09/2009 11:18 am

Greene King Pub Partners attended a 350 strong recruitment fair dedicated to forces personnel leaving the military as part of their targeted Civvy Street Recruitment drive.

The Career Transition Partnership Northern Recruitment Fair was held in Harrogate with Greene King the only pub operator amongst the 46 companies promoting their career opportunities.

Caroline Hollings, director of recruitment and training for Pub Partners said, “Many service personnel now leaving have spent 20 plus years in the military and they’ve gained an incredible amount of experience in management, communications skills and hospitality and so many are ideal candidates for operating a pub business. A combination of experience and discipline will enable many of them to operate a pub business in the efficient and well-organised manner they require and we’re working hard to try and attract them”.

Greene King keeps in regular contact with the service personnel looking to run a pub. A survey conducted at the event placed the pub central to the military chaps lives with 100% saying that pubs were an essential part of our culture and community.

Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, Public Relations Manager, Greene King Pub Partners, Tel: 07974 132844

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By Matt Furnell,

A recent survey conducted by Greene King, pub operator and brewer, found that one of the first things our boys from the forces do when on leave is go down their local. 84% stated that a visit to the pub when on leave was important to extremely important to them with 76% choosing the pub to reconnect with friends.

Caroline Hollings, director of recruitment and training for Greene King said, “Pubs play a vital role in our communities and none more so than now, especially with our military personnel, with 80% saying a visit to the pub is the first order of the day when they get leave. Pubs are all too often blamed for issues in our community and this couldn’t be more off the mark. These results just show that”. Eighty eight percent of those questioned felt pubs were an essential part of our culture and community.

Greene King conducted the survey at the Career Transition Partnership Northern Employment Fair in Harrogate this week, attended by over 350 service personnel who will be leaving the forces in the next 18 months. Greene King was there to promote the career opportunities they have available in the pub sector.

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Press Contact: Elaine Beckett, Public Relations Manager, Greene King Pub Partners, Tel: 07974 132844