PROTECT OUR LIQUID ASSETS GLOBAL SMART KEG RENTAL COMPANY KEGSTAR CELEBRATES HOW WELL THE INDUSTRY HAS RALLIED TOGETHER TO PROTECT THE ASSETS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ENJOY.
A
s applause rang out for the
makes us feel stronger.
UK’s key workers at 8pm each Thursday evening
“This is as true in our business life as it is
during the first lockdown,
in our communities when faced with an
the sense that we were
indiscriminate threat like Covid-19.”
all in this together was palpable. While that heady ‘Dunkirk’ spirit might have
The industry saw a number of campaigns
waned slightly in subsequent months,
set up to support or raise awareness for
communities have still predominantly
the plight faced by many of its members
shown a united front in observing social
– causes such as Fair4Hospitality, United
distancing guidelines, wearing masks
We Stand, Pedalling for Pubs and Pubs
and supporting the old and vulnerable
Matter.
with food deliveries and beyond.
COMMENT
Kegstar played its own small part by
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Businesses too have largely
launching its ‘Don’t Write Off Reach
demonstrated good practice – making
Out’ campaign. The idea was simple:
allowances for home schooling, self-
businesses, like people in general, are
isolation and understanding how
often too proud to share their problems
lockdown and remote working could
or to ask for help, so Kegstar wanted
affect physical and mental well-being.
to encourage regular dialogue with its customers to ensure that help could be
Kegstar was quick to recognise that
given early on to those that needed it.
lockdown required action that was significantly different to a ‘business as
“We got in touch with our customers,
normal’ approach. There would inevitably
by phone, social media and via email
be job losses and closures across the
newsletters to see how they were getting
industry, but lockdown also offered
on,” adds Bleakley. “And if there were
an opportunity for brewers, pubs and
issues, we were committed to working
suppliers to pull together and come out
through them together and flexing the
of the pandemic stronger than we went
business to meet their needs.
in. “Brewing and hospitality, its suppliers James Bleakley, Kegstar’s general
and people, were all thrown into a
manager for UK and Europe, explains:
tough situation together. We all had
“Lockdown taught us that as individuals
our own thoughts and feelings on
we are vulnerable, but when we all unite
COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns,
with the same goals, we quickly find a
creating some really personable and
sense of hope and togetherness that
honest conversations with customers
BREWERS JOURNAL
