These remain challenging times for everyone. Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by Coronavirus throughout the UK and the world.

In these uncertain times while people cannot visit the pubs and restaurants, there is clearly demand from shoppers and our customers in the off-trade. I’m proud to see how everyone in our brewery has rallied in an extraordinary way to respond to this crisis and to get our beers to our customers safely.

Hand in hand with brewing beer comes a continued focus on increasing brewery efficiencies and minimising our use of resources. Our utility consumption is looking positive with water use driving towards best in class. This is incredible work being done by a team, who are working under challenging circumstances. I’m not alone in being grateful for the work they are doing.

However, most importantly right now, given the ongoing impact of Coronavirus on society, we’ve also continued to support our local community and the wider industry as best we can.

Supporting production of hand sanitiser

Recently, we’ve donated 580HL of alcohol from our brewery in Northampton to Copper Rivet Distillery, in Chatham, Kent, for making hand sanitisers. These sanitisers have been distributed to the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police in aid of the COVID-19 crisis. We’re all so very grateful for the heroic efforts of our UK frontline workers, so it feels only right that we play our part in helping to ensure those around us can stay safe and healthy.

In addition, we’re helping to distribute a well-deserved treat in the form of some bottled beers –including alcohol-free beers – to health care workers locally in Northampton.

Supporting the on-trade through Love My Local

The hospitality industry also has a big place in our heart and is already facing a huge impact with the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we have implemented a range of measures to help our on-trade customers at this time. And while we can’t bring people to the pub, we can help bring the pub to them.

Our initiative ‘Love My Local’ offers a free-to-use online ordering platform that allows all pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes (including non-Carlsberg UK customers) to establish an online take-away offering for their local communities. The platform also enables local pubgoers to make an online donation or buy a voucher now and spend at their local once it reopens. More info here: https://lovemylocal.com/. If you own a pub, or know someone who does, please let them know.

Foundations and funding

You may have seen already that the Carlsberg foundations have donated approx. £11.5m to fast-track efforts against Covid-19. Locally, Carlsberg UK has made available around £10,000 for the Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, which will make funds available to charities supporting those that need help most in the local community.

While these initiatives are by no means a silver bullet, we know collective efforts, from multiple companies and industry bodies, are coming together to make a difference and help support our local communities. At Carlsberg UK will continue to do our part, and keep looking for new opportunities to help.

Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Tomek Blawat,
Managing Director, Carlsberg UK