Social Responsibility
This social responsibility document covers the key areas that are important to Amber Taverns, as well as our customers, local community and relevant authorities.
As a local pub operator our influence in the local market place can have a significant impact on the social cohesion of the area by pulling together different generations under one roof; to socialise, meet and enjoy the facilities of the business.
The principle aim of Amber Taverns is to offer our customers a great experience in our pubs; through quality and value whilst maintaining our core social responsibilities commitments.
We are determined to operate our business responsibly whilst working with the local community and the relevant authorities. We will endeavour to build awareness and understanding of the importance of such values and will continue to manage social responsibility effectively.
Targets for improvement are:
- Commitment to improve energy efficiency through low energy lamps, energy efficient equipment and automated meters.
- Commitment to supporting pubs as a community resource through Use Your Local.com
- We are committed to responsible retailing of alcohol and recognise that it is a fundamental part of what we do daily – selling beer to our customers.
- Reinforce training and awareness that we do not serve drunks and recognising the signs that someone is drunk or getting drunk.
- Reinforce best practice and training to challenge anyone who appears under 21 for I.D to ensure that we do not serve anyone under 18 or anyone we believe to be passing alcohol to anyone under 18
- We do not permit heavy discounting of drinks for short periods such as 'happy hours'
- We fully adhere to the Mandatory Codes introduced in April and October 2010.
- We provide information to staff members and customers regarding the Units of alcohol and Alcohol by Volume.
- We are committed to maintain open dialogue with all relevant authorities and will support their initiatives as long as they are in line with the overall strategy of the business.
Pricing & Promotions
- We endeavour to provide our customers and community with a safe and vibrant community pub atmosphere and reinforce that a responsible approach to pricing and promotions is in everyone’s interest.
- We are committed to drive awareness that as pub operators we not only supervise the sale of alcohol, we also supervise its consumption
- We consistently deliver real value at competitive prices, but do not offer any promotions we feel would lead to any issues or disturbance.
- We have banned any activities that conflict with the Mandatory Conditions such as 2 for 1’s, happy hours, no complimentary drinks with other purchases, no fixed fee and drink free promotions.
- All spirits must be served in multiples of 25ml but never more than 50ml
- Loyalty Cards and Collector mechanics must have a minimum of 1 month for redemption period and must not encourage excessive drinking.
Challenge 21
- The principles of Challenge 21 have been adopted by all operators and the company will continue to support all staff and customers on the issues relating to underage sales and the implications of such sales on staff and the business.
- To ensure compliance we will review Challenge 21 procedures and reinforce training requirements and materials for each outlet on a regular basis, especially prior to peak seasonal trading periods.
- We will buy into the Drink Aware materials and distribute across the estate
- Literature will have contact details and help lines for associated agencies such as
- We will continue to display literature relating to the campaign for Smarter Drinking is intended to influence attitudes to the social acceptability of drunkenness and reduce excessive consumption for 18-34 year olds. It aims to encourage young people to take responsibility for their own behaviour and to pose questions that encourage them to think about their drinking habits 'Why let good times go bad'
Disorder
- We believe that threatening the safety & wellbeing of staff, customers or the general public is unacceptable and the company has a zero tolerance approach and that those guilty of creating disorder or committing other crimes should be dealt with using the full force of the law.
- Equally we believe that the relevant authorities should deal severely with licensed premises that persistently break the law for encouraging anti-social behaviour.
- We also believe that the Police and the other relevant authorities currently have effective legal power and sanctions and do not require any further legislation.
People in our business
- The Health & Safety Policy sets out how the company fulfils its obligations and provides a framework to assist Operators and their staff in maintaining a healthy and safe working environment. We seek to minimise the risk of injury and ensure that sufficient resources and information are made available and suitable management systems are in place to address any health & safety concerns.
- A risk assessment system is in place to ensure health and safety practises are upheld throughout the company.
- The company requires the operators to keep records of all Fire and Health & Safety checks.
- We strive to ensure our pubs provide a safe environment for all personnel, visitors and customers
- Glassware – we use toughened glass, where possible, as standard in all our premises.
- We support the use of plastic/polycarbonate glassware in specific licensed premises as a proactive measure in reducing possible crime & disorder issues and in conjunction with the police.
- We do not support the imposition of a blanket ban across whole areas which we would view as both indiscriminate and disproportionate and would diminish the pub going experience for customers
- We do not condone discrimination in any form and we welcome disabled customers and in order to provide the best service we will continue to invest in facilities across the estate. Any requests for additional facilities at specific sites will be evaluated immediately.
- We value our Operators and their staff and their right to be treated with the utmost respect.
- We are committed to treating all personnel who work within the company equally and fairly.
- No person shall suffer discrimination in respect of age, disability, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, marital status, political or religious beliefs
- Improving the performance of all retail personnel is key to promoting the goals of the business and ensuring all personnel have an enjoyable and rewarding role. Basic induction training is given to all members of staff who join the retail teams. Additional training is then promoted at the request of Operators or their staff and they are able to take advantage of a range of external courses that are funded by the company.
- We understand that as a company we must be able to communicate effectively with our customers and enable them to give the company feedback through a variety of ways including email, telephone and mail. Receiving feedback will enable the company to continue to improve and continue to deliver great customer experience.
- We also value feedback from all personnel working in our pubs. This information is analysed and feedback given back to personnel. We can then share the findings with operators and Area Managers to ensure we continue to add value and evolve the customer experience.
- We have established regional providers of SIA registered door staff for our premises that have a requirement on the premises licence.
- We believe that retaining locally based companies not only supports the local economy, but also creates awareness of local issues. All door staff personnel are required to register their details when working, actively log incidents and recognise the accepted forms of I.D. under the Challenge 21 scheme. Operators and door staff are required to review any serious incidents to improve best practise and ensure full compliance of SIA standards.
Pubwatch
- Pubwatch is a voluntary scheme operating in hundreds of communities across the UK, the scheme aims to promote a safe, secure and responsible led social drinking environment in all licensed premises, therefore helping to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder.
- We actively encourage participation by all operators in their local pubwatch, where such a scheme is currently not available we would be supportive in setting up the scheme locally.
- Through pubwatch the operators are able to work together with other licensees and establish greater communication and resolve local issues.
Waste Management
We have reviewed the waste management procedures in February 2010 and have implemented the following:
- We have appointed local waste management contractors to remove our general waste
- We have reduced general waste going to landfill by 20%
- We have sited glass recycling bins at 50% of the outlets
- We will continue to reduce landfill waste and improve the distribution of recycling bins.