Shepherd Neame honoured for its commitment to the local community

SHEPHERD NEAME HONOURED FOR ITS

COMMITMENT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has been honoured for its outstanding efforts to support the local community during the Covid-19 crisis.

The independent family business, which has been based in the historic market town of Faversham for more than 400 years, has undertaken a number of community-focused actions during the past four months, including:

• Sending food from all of its closed managed sites to local food banks and to support the homeless
• Teaming up with Copper Rivet Distillery to create alcohol hand sanitiser for emergency services
• Supporting Kent hop growers with a bumper order
• Donating £4,000 to the Kent NHS Community Heroes charity in recognition of the reopening of the online shop
• Ordering 3,000 cloth face masks for team members from local company Tillett Racing Seats in Sittingbourne
• Sourcing new pub safety signage from its Charity of the Year, Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) based in Aylesford
• Suspending all rents for licensees during the duration of lockdown, and now supporting with ongoing rental concessions

She said: “I am so proud of the way Jonathan and the Brewery have performed throughout these difficult times. In particular, I have been inspired by when they were able to produce alcohol for much-needed hand sanitiser, and more recently when hearing directly from tenants what fantastic support Shepherd Neame have provided. We have something really special here in Faversham, and it wonderful to recognise this.”

Jonathan Neame said: “We are delighted to receive this special honour. Our focus throughout this crisis has been to protect our people and the Company for the long term, and also continue supporting local businesses and contribute to the national effort. This honour is great recognition for our fantastic team members, who have shown great spirit, great dedication to the Company and have been a great support to each other in these challenging times.”

Faversham Mayor Councillor Alison Reynolds presented Chief Executive Jonathan Neame with a certificate at the brewery in Court Street on Tuesday (July 21).

For further information please contact the Shepherd Neame press office on 01795 542192 or email [email protected] or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk