Local Brewery provide 1000 half-term meals

Over the past few months, Manchester United and England footballer, Marcus Rashford, has lead a campaign to end child poverty in England. The government have recently rejected the idea to provide children in need with free meals over the October half-term. Since then, many businesses have decided to contribute by providing free meals to anyone who needs them. I spoke to Richard Craig, Co-founder of the Big Smoke Brew Company, a business that has decided to help make a difference.

The Big Smoke Brew Company is a brewery and pub company based in Esher, Surrey. They have pubs across the South East including in Kingston, Surbiton and Weybridge. In response to the government’s decision not to continue with the free meals over the holidays scheme they have decided to donate 1000 free lunches to anyone who needs them during the week of half-term. 

Obviously, these are difficult times for the hospitality industry but Richard stated that the inspiration behind this was the help they received throughout lockdown from their local community. From April to June, the brewery packed and delivered over 10,000 orders which was vital to keeping the business on its feet. ‘We felt that it was only right to repay that support when people in our community are so desperately in need’.

Recognition of the companies contribution towards the school meals campaign has been immense and the company has been receiving a great deal of attention on social media, in the national press and on a local level since the introduction of their free meals. ‘It’s been amazing for us to be able to get the message out to such a wide audience so that we can help more people.’ Marcus Rashford even retweeted the company’s tweet offering support to his 2.7 million followers. ‘He’s been inundated with businesses messaging him so it was great to have him help us to spread the word.’ Due to the positivity towards the company they have received many offers of support from people who are available to help out with deliveries and have even received one anonymous donation of £1000 that was handed over the bar at their pub in Wokingham. Despite the support from the local community and nationwide recognition, Richard told me the company haven’t had any contact from the council or any of the Conservative MP’s who represent the constituencies that the company’s pubs are in. 

Finally, Richard added a message to the local community, ‘It’s been extremely heartwarming to see the tidal wave of support that Marcus Rashford’s campaign has inspired. It shows that, on the whole, people care and just want to help one another in their time of need.’ If anyone is in need of support for feeding their children during half term please contact lunch@bigsmokebrew.co.uk