Pubs boss throws staff summer party

WHEN you’re the boss of a pub company and you’ve just doubled your profits there’s only one thing to do… throw a staff party.

That’s exactly what Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies did when he treated the teams from the company’s managed house division to a celebration in Henley for the first time.

Almost 250 employees from at least nine of the company’s “Honeycomb Houses” attended the event, which included a boat trip and fun and games by the river.

Staff wore fancy dress in different colours to represent their pubs. The revellers enjoyed a drink at the Angel on the Bridge before heading along the Thames Path on the Berkshire side of the river to their party venue opposite Temple Island.

Here the teams competed in games with inflatables such as gladiator and bucking bronco.

The catering was provided by chef Jaxon Keedwell, who runs Valley Events in Fawley and used to be a Brakspear tenant.

At the end of the day staff awards were presented, including the “rising star” prize, which went to Charlie Wheeler, chef at the Bull on Bell Street, Henley.

He was one of about 50 staff from the pub who were at the event.

Samantha Croxford, a supervisor at the Bull, said: “The party was fantastic and there was a nice relaxed atmosphere.

“It was really well put together with great food and drink. We felt very spoilt.”

At the end of the day, the party- goers were brought back to town on Hobbs of Henley’s passenger boats The New Orleans and The Waterman.

Ms Croxford said: “That was really special for me as I have never been on them before and we didn’t have to walk all the way back.” Mr Davies said he organised the celebration in response to feedback from staff.

He said: “We were really pleased to get all the pubs together. We wanted to recognise and reward each one of them for their hard work and dedication.

“Hospitality should be fun and rewarding but it is also hard work, so we wanted to thank everyone.

“We celebrated with awards for five individuals who received vouchers and a magnum of wine and we awarded the Nag’s Head in Abingdon with the prestigious pub of the year award.

“The team will be looking forward to an extra £1,000 towards their Christmas night out, I’m sure! We also used the day to award £21,000 worth of points to team members who have worked for us for a year or more or won awards.

“The day was about celebrating everything that is great about Honeycomb Houses, recognising some people and teams who have done wonderful things and, most importantly, having fun with colleagues who we see as family.

“As we say in Honeycomb Houses, treat your customers as friends, colleagues as family and pubs as homes.”

• Last month, Brakspear’s parent company J T Davies & Sons announed a pre-tax profit of £6.5 million for the year ending December 25, up from £3.2 million in 2021.