‘Millions will be giving up their own Christmas Day to keep the nation running’
13 pubs across Greater Manchester are taking part in a kind gesture that will honour those working on Christmas Day this year(Image: Greene King)
It’s estimated that around 1.1 million people will be working on Christmas Day this year.
A large majority of them will be emergency services staff and key workers, like doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers and carers, as well as those in the hospitality industry who will be working hard to serve up festive meals at pubs and restaurants.
A study of 1,000 UK adults who have previously worked the December 25 shift found that more than half of them felt underappreciated for their efforts on the big day itself, so pub operator Greene King has come up with a plan to reverse that.
Across 700 pubs nationwide, including some venues in Manchester, there will be 30,000 main meals served up for those working on Christmas Day this year as part of an Alternative festive treat on December 1.
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The King’s Ransom pub in Sale is one of the 13 venues in Greater Manchester offering a free meal to those working on Christmas Day(Image: MEN Media)
10,000 of these meals will be given exclusively to Blue Light Card holders. The card is designed for staff in the NHS, emergency services and armed forces, as well as teachers and other roles.
Eligible workers will need to fill in their details on the Greene King website before November 17 to be considered for the festive treat. Participating pubs will include the Knowsley, in Bury, the Barlow Croft, in East Didsbury, and the Grosvenor, in Carrington.
There will be a total of 13 pubs across Greater Manchester taking part in the scheme, which will also include Tottington’s Robin Hood, Flixton’s Church Inn and the George & Dragon Hotel in Stockport.
Andrew Gallagher, Brand and Marketing Director at Greene King pubs, said: “We see first-hand the hard work that goes into making Christmas happen, including our very own team across the UK.
“While most of us are sitting down for Christmas lunch, millions of people are working hard to keep things running. The Big Christmas Shift is our way of saying thank you, giving those working on 25 December their own chance to celebrate, relax and enjoy a festive main meal before the Christmas rush kicks in.”
Greene King will be handing out 30,000 free meals to those working on Christmas Day this year(Image: Greene King)
To coincide with the celebration, Greene King have filmed a special advert at its Bury St Edmunds brewery which sees Santa, who has been dubbed the ‘original shift worker’, celebrate at the historic Dog & Partridge pub.
In the advert, Santa is dressed in his original green outfit, which is what he was thought to wear in the 17th and 18th century to represent tradition, care, and community before his now-iconic red outfit became the norm.
Speaking about the festive offering, Blue Light Card’s Chief Marketing Officer, Neil Caldicott said: “Millions of our members including NHS workers and emergency services, will be giving up their own Christmas Day to keep the nation running, and we’re passionate about making sure those people are celebrated.
“We’re thrilled to support Greene King as they offer their thanks and hope our members enjoy a moment to relax, enjoy a festive meal, and feel recognised for the vital work they do every day.”
Eligible workers have until November 17 to sign up here. Meals will be served at midday on December 1 at participating pubs.
Participating pubs in Greater Manchester:
- Farmers Arms (Northenden)
- George & Dragon Hotel (Stockport)
- Barlow Croft (East Didsbury)
- Royal Oak (Chorlton-cum-Hardy)
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