Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie reiterated the need for a better regulated energy sector and reform to the business rates system at a coronation drinks reception earlier this week.
Speaking at The Kings Arms in Mayfair on 24 April, Mackenzie introduced new research commissioned by Greene King ahead of the King’s coronation.
The report, entitled ‘Serving King and Country: The Great British Pub at the Heart of Communities’, reveals the pub sector supports 936,000 jobs and generates £26.2bn of gross value added.
It calls for a policy environment that allows pubs to thrive and encourages investment, including fundamental reform to business rates as well as protection from energy companies penalising hospitality businesses and charging unfair prices.
Mackenzie further called for a reform of the apprenticeship levy to be employer-led.
He also reflected on how the business has changed since the last coronation, when it operated 499 pubs with only cask on tap and still used horse-drawn drays.
62 million pints are expected to be pulled across the industry throughout the Coronation bank holiday weekend, according to the report, with 44% of the population having a favourite pub they visit when celebrating life moments.
Greene King has since expanded to 2,600 managed and tenanted pubs and launched hundreds of new beers, with the Coronation Ale created specifically for the occasion.
