corporate and social responsibility
The Barracuda Group strives to achieve a balance between responsible retailing and the choice to eat and drink at a high-quality establishment. This is achieved in practice through responsible pricing and promotions, effective communications and regular staff training.
Responsible Drinks Retailing
We are sensitive to the public concern regarding excessive drinking, and have developed our pricing to reflect our position at the premium end of the market, without extensive discounting. Marketing and promotions are specifically designed not to encourage excessive drinking or foster anti-social behaviour. Instead the focus is on a high-quality offer that is inline with carefully researched customer profiles.
Every Barracuda Group pub and bar operates the Challenge 21 initiative and often a local scheme, such as the government’s DES campaign to support a ‘designated driver’ by providing free soft drinks. We have also introduced a refusal button on our tills that prompts staff to question customers who may be intoxicated or under-age.
Our Pubs
Across our five retail brands, we aim to foster a welcoming environment that focuses on wine, food, coffee and soft drinks meaning alcohol need not be consumed in isolation. And in our 200-plus estate of pubs and bars, more than 50 per cent of the trading area is seating, encouraging a move away from vertical drinking.
Staff Training
We are extremely proud of our management and staff retention rate, and we maintain a close personal level of contact with each pub, which is essential in a competitive market.
Pub managers and staff regularly undertake training to learn about new legislation and how to deal with irresponsible behaviour linked to alcohol, such as:
- Not serving customers who are intoxicated
- Not serving alcohol to people who are under 18 years old.
- Observing all conditions of the licensing law.
We have also developed an easy-to-use responsible retailing guide for pub managers to ensure they are up to date with their legal requirements and that staff are confident when tackling important issues.
Safety
We support regional crime and disorder partnerships, including local Pub Watch and Best Bar None schemes wherever possible, to help address concerns before they become issues. Some managers take a very proactive role, taking the positions on the committee or as the chairman. Significant investment is made in security systems including CCTV and registered door staff. This acts as a deterrent to potential irresponsible behaviour and ensures customers feel comfortable and at ease in the pubs.
Charities and local community
Barracuda Group encourages its pubs to become an integral part of the community and often this involves local sponsorship or charity support. Due to the number of requests received at head office, we suggest you contact your local pub in the first instance. Use the search function on the top right hand side to find your nearest pub or bar and contact the manager.
