Pub giant Greene King has announced an enticing promotion for rugby fans, offering complimentary pints of Guinness this weekend as the Six Nations championship gets underway. However, there is a specific requirement to access this freebie.
How to Claim Your Free Pint
To secure a free pint of Guinness, patrons must book a table for any Six Nations match on February 7 through the Greene King website. Upon arrival at the pub, they will need to present confirmation of their booking at the bar to redeem the offer.
Participating Venues
The promotion is available across all Greene King sports pubs, including popular chains such as Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse, and Belhaven. This initiative is part of the company's new Fans Reunited campaign, which aims to celebrate the communal spirit of sports and pub culture.
Campaign Ambassadors
The Fans Reunited campaign is being fronted by two Rugby World Cup winners, Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson, who are lending their star power to encourage social connections through sport.
Executive and Celebrity Endorsements
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, explained the motivation behind the campaign. She stated, "Fans Reunited celebrates the unique role that sport, and the pub atmosphere, plays in bringing people together. By launching alongside the Guinness Six Nations and offering reunited fans a free pint on us, we want to spark those moments where old friends reconnect over a pint."
Martin Johnson added his perspective, saying, "Rugby has a unique way of bringing people together. Friendships formed through sport are unbreakable, and the ones that endure last a lifetime - exactly what Greene King’s Fans Reunited campaign celebrates. Combined with the atmosphere of the pub, it takes the experience to the next level."
Broader Context for Pubs
This promotional effort comes at a time when the pub industry is receiving some governmental support. Recently, the Treasury announced that pubs and music venues will benefit from a 15% reduction in their business rates bills starting in April, as part of a significant support package.
Government Support Details
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson highlighted that this assistance will be worth approximately £1,650 for the average pub in the upcoming year. It is noteworthy that other hospitality sectors, such as hotels, restaurants, and cafes, will not receive the same level of additional support.
Mr Tomlinson commented, "This decision will mean that the amount of business rates paid by the pub sector as a whole will be lower in 2028/29. It will also apply to music venues too. Many are valued as pubs and it would not be right to draw the line."
Industry Reaction
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), welcomed the government's move. She said, "We are pleased the Government has listened to our concerns, and those of publicans, consumers and MPs who rallied to defend our locals. This pub-specific package will stave off the immediate financial threat posed by accelerating business costs and will help keep the doors open for many."
Overall, Greene King's free Guinness offer not only aims to boost attendance during the Six Nations but also aligns with broader efforts to support the pub industry amidst ongoing economic challenges.
