Joseph Holt is launching ‘FebBREWary’, a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the role its pubs play in tackling loneliness and bringing people together.
Tackling the virtual Tour de France for charity at the Hafield, Ormskirk
The 175-year-old Manchester-based family brewery operates pubs across the North West, and is known for producing award winning ales. But aside from brewing beer, theres another brew — the faithful cuppa — which is central to the many community activities which take place at Joseph Holt pubs.
The venues are a hive of community and voluntary activity, through a wide range of social clubs and support groups. These range from bereavement sessions to Alzheimer’s and menopause support groups, as well as knitting groups, chit-chat sessions, and even church services.
“As an independent business which has been in the same family for six generations, Joseph Holt has always believed strongly that pubs create a sense of togetherness,” said the company’s marketing manager, Paul Longmire.
“Our pub managers are constantly looking at ways to bring people together, fight loneliness, and provide warm, lively, and uplifting places to meet. So, although we are known for the award-winning ales we brew, the idea of coming in to have a different type of brew — namely a cuppa — is vitally important, too. That’s how we came to launch FebBREWary.”
Social groups run by Joseph Holt pubs include:
- Chatterbox mornings at the Millhouse in Warrington. Held every other Tuesday morning, over a free cuppa and biscuits, there are discussion sessions and guest speakers.
- Keep fit and walking groups at the New Grove Inn, in Whitefield. The pub is also the venue for a recipe club.
- A bereavement group that meets over a cuppa and cakes at the Lychgate, in Wigan, on the first Tuesday of every month.
- A railway club and a walking club at the Doffcocker, in Bolton.
- Weekly church services at the Mosely Arms, in Bolton.
- A weekly knit and natter group and a parent and baby group launching soon at the Hayfield, in Ormskirk.
- A weekly chit-chat group at the Blue Bell, in Bury.
This year, Joseph Holt is celebrating its 175th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the brewery is aiming to raise £500,000 for the Christie Hospital, in Manchester, with many pubs involved with fundraising.
“Pubs are the archetype of third space — somewhere that isn’t home or work, but a place that brings people together beyond the immediate family or work,” said Thomas Thurnell-Read, an author and lecturer at the University of Loughborough, when researching the impact fewer pubs is having on British society.
Paul Longmire added: “Pubs are the perfect community hub, providing an informal setting in which people can meet, network, socialise, make friends, and ward off loneliness. Where there is a pub there is a community.
“And given the many pressures people face, it’s more important than ever that Joseph Holt offers somewhere that the community can come together to enjoy company, support, and social gatherings.
“That’s why we are using our FebBREWary initiative to let people to know that we are somewhere we brew up as well as serve our famous brews. And that thanks to a Joseph Holt pub, they need never feel alone.”
