Metropolitan Pub Company

Our brand new Signature Sips menu launched this week, featuring a delightful selection of Autumn-inspired cocktails. From the zesty Orange & Ginger Margarita to the rich Amaretto Rum Punch and indulgent Honey Espresso Martini, there’s something to suit every palate. Whether you’re joining for a casual catch-up or an after-work drink, make sure you pop down to your local MPCo to try out the new tipples. 🍂

As part of National Hospitality Apprenticeship Week, we're excited to share the inspiring journey of Charlie Hayton, who has gone from Kitchen Porter to Sous Chef in just over a year. Through our Chef Academy Apprenticeship, he’s been able to gain experience, grow his skills, and take on new challenges at Metro. We’re proud to celebrate Charlie’s story as it highlights the power of apprenticeships within our business. Read more about Charlie’s journey: "After the pandemic I decided upon a change of career path and I wanted to explore my passion for food and cooking, and ended up getting a job at the Victoria Inn in Peckham as a Kitchen Porter in early 2022. My first Head Chef, David, was quick to nurture my growth and encourage me to push forwards in learning more and cooking actively in the kitchen, sharing tips and anecdotes. I moved up to Chef de Partie later that year, and in 2023 with a new Head Chef, Duncan, and General Manager, Carly, I found the stability I needed to continue growing my confidence and skills. Carly encouraged me to enter a Chef Academy Apprenticeship which offered continued learning as well as days of hands-on cooking with experienced tutors and other young chefs. Towards the end of the year, I had the opportunity to work part time in other Metro locations, including a stint at the Mitre working under Patrick which was very rewarding. After a hectic week helping at the Florence for Mother’s Day, the Head Chef there, Marinos, offered me a job as his Sous Chef. I’ve been enjoying getting stuck into the challenges of my new role and trying my best to learn from my mistakes and keep improving. I’d like to thank the chefs and managers I’ve worked with for their advice, encouragement, and patience, and though working in the kitchen isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, the satisfaction when it all fits together and runs well is what makes it all worth it."

Autumn has arrived, and so has our brand-new Signature Sips menu! Our talented team has crafted a cosy collection of seasonal drinks, including a tantalising Aperol & Rhubarb Spritz made with rhubarb Amaro Santoni, the refreshing Cloudy Apple Spritz, and the indulgent Honey Espresso Martini featuring Absolut Hunni Vodka—plus many more delicious options. This week, we celebrated with our Autumn Drinks Showcase, where our brilliant suppliers demonstrated how to create these ultimate cocktails. A huge thank you to Pernod Ricard, Bacardi, Liana Collection, Lucky Saint | B Corp™, and Les Caves de Pyrène for making it a fabulous showcase. Join us at your local MPCo from 7th October, and treat yourself to a perfectly crafted drink (or two!) this season.

International Week of Happiness at Work 🌟 It’s International Week of Happiness at Work, and to celebrate, we’ve been visiting our sites and speaking with our fantastic team members, asking them one simple question: What makes you happy at work? The responses have been thoughtful, uplifting, and truly inspiring. From our FOH and BOH teams to GMs and support teams, everyone shared what brings them joy in their work life, and we couldn’t be more proud of the incredible sense of community that shines through in their answers. We’ve gathered some of our favourite responses and put them together for you. We hope these heartfelt comments brighten up your day as much as they did ours! Take a look, and let us know which one resonates with you the most – or maybe you’ll even spot your own comment! 😉

Celebrating Our People & Culture Coordinator, Whitney Yllobre Cuba 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that our very own Whitney Yllobre has been nominated for the Apprentice Champion Award at the 11th Annual Lifetime Training Learner Achievement Awards! 🎉 This nomination from Lifetime recognizes Whitney's outstanding dedication to promoting and supporting apprenticeships within our company. Last year, Whitney represented us at an apprenticeship event at the House of Commons, alongside two of our talented apprentices, highlighting her ongoing commitment to fostering growth and opportunity for apprentices. Please join us in congratulating Whitney on this incredible achievement and wishing her the best of luck as she moves forward in the selection process! 🙌

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming BDM Ian Tillett, aka Tilly as the newest member of our ops team, so we sat down with him to find out a bit more! My passion for hospitality began with washing dishes by hand in a pub at age 13. Now, I've had over 40 years of hospitality experience. During my career I’ve had exposure in positions; where I have been able to develop skills and expand my expertise beyond operations. My focus is building exceptional teams, delivering outstanding guest experiences, and driving results, with a vision to “be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons'” symbolising being the very best in our marketplace with all that we do – inspired by the book 'The Purple Cow'. In my new role the headline goal is ‘To continue to elevate the art of the pub’. This is what counts: Hot chips – Cold Beer – Happy Team – Great vibes: It’s that simple – but sometime we over-complicate it! What attracted you to MPCo? I’ve always been attracted to MPCo – years before I joined GK. But more recently the positive changes led by Zoe Bowley & her team was my biggest attraction – why work anywhere else!? What do you love about the MPCo and BDM role? MPCo: Clear goal – aligned to our GK vision and four values that act as a clear compass to drive exceptional behaviours. Plus, a diverse collection of market-leading exceptional pubs. BDM: Opportunity to ‘joyfully’ sprinkle my hospitality experience across a manageable number of pubs to really develop & grow to deliver our MPCo goal. Ultimately, make a positive difference – everyday! What you are most excited about when it comes to joining the team? Being part of the continued exciting MPCo journey, adding value and partnering like-minded & caring hospitality colleagues Fun / interesting fact about you From the age of nine to 16 I kept a menagerie of animals (as small holding) – I had: Goats (which won awards at goat shows), chickens, geese & ducks – I needed to work from the age of 13 to pay for my animals! I always get my outfit ready the night before (my prep) – this sets me up with positivity for the day ahead!

Summer Well-being Month is Here! 🌟 We’re excited to celebrate Summer Well-being Month this August by dedicating each week to a different aspect of well-being. From energising fitness challenges and relaxing yoga sessions to exploring the enriching world of audio books and adopting healthy eating habits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Well-being is essential for a thriving team, and this summer is all about fostering positive growth and wellness, and promoting a balanced and positive lifestyle. Here’s to a fantastic month ahead!

Sun, fun, and friendly competition! ☀️ Last week, the Metro and Crafted support centre teams came together for a much-needed sports day to celebrate a fantastic first half of the year. From egg and spoon races to rounders, we had a blast getting active and cheering each other on. Huge congrats to Team Blue on their victory! 💙

Thanks to the incredible efforts and generosity of our teams and guests, we have raised nearly £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support so far this year! Macmillan's unwavering dedication to providing support to those affected by cancer inspires us every day. We are proud to contribute to their mission and help make a difference in the lives of so many. A huge thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and supported our fundraising initiatives. Your contributions, whether big or small, have collectively made a significant impact. Together, we can continue to support Macmillan and ensure no one faces cancer alone. 💚

Last week was Learning Disability Week. The event, led by Mencap is an opportunity to highlight the incredible contributions made by individuals with learning disabilities. This year’s theme “Do you see me?” was all about challenging the barriers faced by people with learning disabilities, and celebrating the amazing things they bring to society. At the Metropolitan Pub Company and Greene King, we are creating opportunities for young people with learning disabilities. Watch this video to learn more about it. https://lnkd.in/e_mZGw-H