LONDON, June 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, maker of
GUINNESS, has today announced a new global programme to support
pubs and bars to welcome customers back and recover following the
COVID-19 pandemic. "Raising the Bar" will be a two-year programme
available from July 2020.
Through "Raising the Bar", Diageo will provide $100 million to support the recovery of major
hospitality centres, including: New York, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Mexico
City, Sao Paulo,
Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Sydney and beyond. This $100 million programme includes the $20 million Community Fund announced in
the United States on 12 June 2020.
Diageo designed the "Raising the Bar" programme following a
global survey of bar owners to identify what they need to reopen
after lockdown. Their top priorities include hygiene measures,
digital support and practical equipment to transform how their
outlets will work.
The "Raising the Bar" programme will provide targeted support to
help pay for the physical equipment needed for outlets to re-open.
For example, in the UK, Diageo will provide initial funding for:
'hygiene kits' with high-quality permanent sanitiser dispense
units, medical grade hand sanitiser and a range of personal
protection equipment (such as masks and gloves); help to pubs and
bars to establish partnerships with online reservations and
cashless systems; mobile bars and outdoor equipment.
From 24 June 2020, bar owners will
be able to register their interest for the "Raising the Bar"
programme via www.diageobaracademy.com globally and
www.mydiageo.com in the UK and Ireland. Bar owners will receive regular
updates on best practice training and resources and be able to
participate in global surveys to share insights, as they build back
their businesses.
Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive
of Diageo commented: "Pubs and bars sit at the heart of
every community. We have launched "Raising the Bar" as so many
outlets have been impacted by this crisis and badly need help to
open their doors again.'"
"We are calling on governments around the world to provide
long-term recovery packages to help the hospitality sector. These
businesses play an essential role in bringing people together to
socialise and celebrate – something that we have all missed so much
during this terrible crisis – and sustain hundreds of millions of
jobs, which provide a first foot on the employment ladder for young
people."
The UN's International Labour Organization has forecast that 436
million enterprises worldwide face serious disruption and one in
six young people will be unemployed due to COVID-19. The
hospitality sector will be one of the hardest hit, as pubs, bars,
clubs and restaurants provide hundreds of millions of jobs for many
full and part-time workers.
The impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality sector has been
widespread, with the closure of venues the world over. As
governments begin to ease lockdown measures, the public want to
come together again to connect with their community and socialise
safely. By providing access to free digital support, technology,
training and equipment, Diageo aims to help bars open their doors
again.
Notes to editors:
- UN's International Labour Organization forecast is available
via: www.ilo.org
- To be eligible to participate in the $100 million of targeted support from the
"Raising the Bar" programme, outlets:
-
- Must be registered as a legal entity (for tax purposes) or
equivalent in each jurisdiction
- Must have been operating for minimum period of 12 months before
introduction of any national or local lockdown restrictions due to
COVID-19, affecting its ability to operate in a business as usual
manner
- Must have a beer and/or spirits licence or equivalent
- Must demonstrate at least one way in which they are or plan to
"Raise the Bar" in their community, including: promoting inclusion
and diversity and job-creation in disadvantaged communities;
promoting positive drinking and tackling harm or anti-social
behavior; focusing on sustainability or community support; and
providing skills training, especially those from disadvantaged
groups.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine
categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's
and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff,
Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on
both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock
Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our
people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking
resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways
to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
For further information please contact:
Diageo Press Office
Press@diageo.com
+44-(0)-7803-856-200
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SOURCE Diageo Plc