Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, visited the Wheatsheaf Pub on Walsall Road, Great Wyrley, to meet their team and customers.
Gavin met with Mark Blythman, Strategy and Investment Relations Director, to discuss issues relating to Greene King and the beer and pub industry. They spoke with members of the Wheatsheaf team who spoke about what it was like to work in the area as well as demonstrating how to pour the perfect pint.
The Wheatsheaf is one of six Greene King pubs in South Staffordshire. The company currently operate over 3,000 pubs across the UK, and employ 44,000 people, roughly half of whom are under the age of 25. They also run an award winning apprenticeship scheme, through which we have trained 17,000 apprentices over the last eight years and will continue to provide high quality training to address the skills gap facing the UK hospitality industry.
The beer and pub industry had highlighted rising business rates as a top concern before the Budget last week. In recognising the unique role that pubs play in communities, the Chancellor issued a new £1,000 discount on business rates bills for all pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000.
On his visit Gavin commented: “Pubs such as the Wheatsheaf are an important part of our local community. It’s great to see the support Greene King give to their pubs which contributes to both the community and the local economy.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to such a well-run community pub and meeting their dedicated staff. I was delighted to meet the friendly team who obviously have customer service at the heart of everything they do, although I fear that my attempt at pouring a pint are not up to their standards.
“I would like to thank Greene King for all that they do for pubs across the country and for inviting me to visit this wonderful establishment.”