Greene King has launched Expensable Lunches, a programme providing city workers with a pub lunch break with a productive twist.

Greene King Expensable Lunches

In partnership with small business support platform Enterprise Nation, the pub chain is giving central London workers access to a variety of training modules during their weekday lunch hour.

Launching on 6th July, the training sessions will run every Wednesday for five weeks at selected central London locations, from Liverpool Street to Victoria, Fitzrovia to Mayfair.

At £25 each, tickets include entry to the training session — hosted by an accredited trainer — along with a main course and drink of choice. The menu on offer includes a range of options, from fish and chips to vegan burgers, coupled with a pint or soft drink. 

The 45-minute modules are designed to encourage city workers to take time away from their desks to acquire new skills. Sessions cover five key topics: creating a social media plan, building your personal brand, mastering the art of public speaking, becoming a better leader, and building a growth mindset.

Upon completion of the module, zone 1 workers will leave the session with a formal certificate, as well as a VAT receipt, allowing them to expense lunch back to their employers.

Alex Dawson, business unit director at Greene King Urban Pubs, said: “It goes without saying that the working week is looking a little different these days. With people spending fewer days in the office, lunchtimes are often rushed, with many central London workers opting to eat al desko.

“We feel it’s important people take a proper lunch break and we’re excited to be offering these meaningful lunchtime workshops in partnership with Enterprise Nation, to encourage people to take a break from the workplace. Our Expensable Lunches allow people to learn new skills over a delicious pub lunch, to help them refresh and refuel for an afternoon in the office.”

Emma Jones CBE, founder of Enterprise Nation, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Greene King pubs to give Londoners a reason to step away from their desks and take a break from the daily grind. Bringing productive lunch sessions to local pubs in Central London will give city workers and small business owners an opportunity to learn something new that may help their own personal development.

“In this new post-pandemic world, self-development and training has become more important than ever, and we are thrilled to be able to offer these bite-sized training sessions for anyone looking to spice up their working day.”