LearningSkills & recognition
In January 2016, we embarked on a new venture, taking over the keys to a pub with a storied past riddled with challenges. Little did we know, we were stepping into a setting plagued by historical issues. Hidden from our knowledge, there lurked a drug problem, compounded by the deceptive actions of the brewery development manager, who abused his authority by resorting to inappropriate tactics that fell below the expected professional standard of ethics.
Despite our best efforts, we encountered further complications, including breaches of equality and diversity legislation by chefs who engaged in theft and bullying of marginalised groups of people – we couldn’t tolerate this behaviour and terminated their employment. Additionally, we faced substantial repair issues, for which the brewery offered compensation for loss of business, but it never arrived, and our reputation was at risk in many ways from a media storm of false information. Faced with these mounting challenges, we made the difficult decision to place the business into voluntary liquidation in July 2017.
Winner of Gateshead Council LearningSkills Awards
However, the most cherished accolade came from The Gateshead Council LearningSkills Awards, a local annual ceremony celebrating education and growth. Our establishment had actively nurtured a supportive environment for young individuals aspiring to join the hospitality industry, particularly those with unique skills, thinking patterns, and disabilities.
In 2017, we proudly accepted the Employer of the Year Award, which acknowledges organisations that champion learning within their workforce. Through our commitment to employee development, we aimed to enhance productivity, morale, and staff retention while simultaneously enriching the lives of our team members and the wider community.
Winner of OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards
As we gathered around, raising our glasses to mark the closure of our beloved establishment, the crackling fire provided a comforting backdrop on our final night as we reflected on the Diners’ Choice Award. Feedback was based solely on OpenTable’s verified feedback gathered only from seated OpenTable diners, protecting us from unverified ratings and reviews, increasing exposure and credibility. Awards help provide diners with confidence in their booking decision.
Congratulations on being a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence recipient!
TripAdvisor has been handing out the Certificate of Excellence since 2011 to honour hospitality businesses that deliver consistently great service. This award is one of the most coveted badges of honour for businesses in the hospitality sector. It could have helped to set our business apart from other competitors, and improve our brand visibility on the site.
As we began the process of winding down our hospitality business and amidst the turmoil, rays of recognition shone upon us. Within one week, we were honoured with three prestigious awards that could have significantly bolstered our establishment’s reputation. Notably, we received TripAdvisor’s Customer Excellence Award and OpenTable’s Service Excellence Award.
