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OMG!ORCHID MONTHLY GOSSIPJuly 2014

The Golden EditionWe take a look at our incredible

achievements over the last 8 years!

OMG!ORCHID MONTHLY GOSSIPJuly 2014

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OMG!

There’s no doubt about it; it’s been a whirlwind of

a month! For the time being OMG! continues as it

always has done. To provide all of our employees

with the latest news and stories from around

O-Land!

In last month’s edition we celebrated Orchid’s 8th

birthday. One month later, it’s the GOLD edition

– a magazine covering various aspects that have

helped us to achieve our Investors In People gold

status… a magnificent achievement for a pub

company.

As we all know, a great company doesn’t run on

a few great people. It runs on an entire culture of

hard work, dedication and respect from all corners

of the business.

For this reason, we take a look at some of our

unsung heroes on page 6 and some ‘people

stories’ on page 7.

We also review our charity success stories down

the years on page 5, celebrate our achievements

with a jam-packed timeline on pages 8 & 9 and

provide an up-to-date Facebook Likes League

Table on pages 12 & 13. There are other fun

articles here too, including the PKB hashtag

craze (Page 15) and the new Mag 7 poster

(Page 10).

Have a great month one and all.

Paul H. paul.holman@orchidg roup.co.uk

Message from the Editor...

Saroj Sawadvutipong

(Peter)@ Rayleig h Lodge, Essex

“My second Chef, Saroj

Sawadvutipong (‘Peter’ for

short!), is so dedicated, skilled

and professional at his job. Not

just that but he always comes

into work with a smile on his face.

Just recently he’s been covering

shifts for team members without

taking a day off for himself. If only

we could clone him! Thanks for

everything Peter!”Eddy Pede

(Manager @ Rayleig h

Lodge, Essex)

Super impressed with your team or a specific team member? Send your shout-out to Paul Holman at paul.holman@orchidgroup.co.uk

SHOUT-OUTS!

Richard Cunning ham & Jon Wheatley @ Spyg lass & Kettle, Southbourne“These two cheeky chaps are my Deputy (Richard Cunningham) and Assistant Manager (Jon Wheatley). They have been my rock recently. No job has been too big or small. They’ve helped us with recruitment, keeping up the moral and have been absolute pleasures to work with!! Thanks so much to them both!!”

Sam Dwyer (Manager @ Spyg lass & Kettle, Southbourne)

Kieran Norum @ BRB Mailbox, Birming ham

“Kieran Norum, Holding Manager

at the Mailbox, Birmingham, has

been used and abused by a series

of people in Black Pubs over the

years. He’s now running the pub

and a fantastic job he’s making

of it too! Great sales and great

controls all add up to a fantastic

performance, in an environment

where it’s not easy to get staff

involvement due to the uncertainty

of employment. Well done Kieran!”

Mike Wilson

(Area Manager)

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Here are some of the team from M&B welcoming us

into their family…

Martin is a Brummie lad, who was born in Yorkshire and grew up in Torquay. He’s a huge fan of rugby, weight-training and,

in his own words, “eating too much”.

He graduated at Aston University in Business Studies and got an MBA at Nottingham University.

Martin

Liz lives in Staffordshire with her husband and two daughters. She’s passionate about people and the hospitality trade.Liz achieved a Post Graduate Diploma from Nottingham Business School. She loves seeing people

achieve their potential and enjoys helping them to realise this.

Liz

Mark lives in Windsor with his wife and two boys. He’s a Chartered Accountant who studied Geography at University. Mark has worked across a wide range of finance roles, including operational

support, corporate finance and strategy/planning and, most recently, he’s been responsible for financial leadership of M&B’s capital investment programme.

Steve lives in South Birmingham with his wife and young son. He enjoys football, running, golf, cricket, books and travel. He graduated

in Medieval and Modern History from Birmingham University and completed an MBA from Warwick Business School in 2012.

Martin

Mark

Mark

Liz

If you see these guys in Orchid’s pubs in the near future, make

sure to extend a warm and friendly welcome and make them

feel a part of the Orchid family!

Steve Steve

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OMG! WHAT ARE YOU SHOUTING ABOUT!Our very own happy news stories from across Orchid

100 YEARS& COUNTING!Ernie Cole, a regular at the Buccaneer in Eastbourne, has hit 100! In celebration of this feat, Managers Gary & Steve provided him with a free pint for every day of his birthday week. Another prime example of O-Land’s tremendous loyalty towards our customers.

WORLD CUP FEVER!

It may have been an

incredibly disappointing World

Cup for Eng land (and a

hung ry one for Luis Suarez)

but our customers from all

across O-Land got behind the

national team and supported

them all the way. Bring on the

2016 European Championships!

BREWING UP A STORMThe Thatched House in Poulton-Le-Flyde is now officially selling its own ales from its microbrewery, a first for Orchid!If you’re in the area, head down and indulge your senses.

HOLLYOAKS TAVERN!The Blackbrook Tavern in Ruishton got quite a surprise last month when the cast of Hollyoaks made an unexpected visit to their establishment. The team took the opportunity to snap the celebs whilst they had the chance!

CELEB SPOTTING @

THE BUCANNEER!

Being next door to the Winter

Gardens Theatre usually

attracts some VIPs. It was

no surprise then, when the

one-time Dr Who extraordinaire

Christopher Bigg ins strolled

in followed by Sue Holderness,

known for playing Marlene

in John Sullivan’s Only Fools

& Horses. Autog raph hunters

take note… the Buccaneer’s

the place to be!

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June 2014 5

One of Orchid’s

biggest successes is the work we do for

charities. Our community initiatives mean that, as an organisation, we can give something back to help make a positive change in people’s lives. Take a gander at some of

the grand totals raised…

The charity provides vital support to a number of projects helping deprived and underprivileged children in Thailand. One of these institutions, Baan Tharn Orphanage in Khao Lak, put the donated money towards a catfish farm, rice fields, a hydroponic farm, a water system and plantation.

Thai Children’s Trust £61,692

Willow is the only UK charity supporting seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds

by providing them with special days.

Willow Foundation £20,249

Project Fair Play35,000 shirts raised through Project Fair Play during the 2010

and 2014 World Cups

Suit Amnesty1,000 suits were

provided to disadvantaged and

homeless jobseekers

Project Roar We collected arts and crafts to create 3,500

school packs for Romanian children

Bra BankUltimate Leisure’s

campaign won national acclaim and collected 20,000 bras for women

in rural Africa.

Project Welly 1000 pairs of wellies

collected for City Farms so disadvantaged youngsters

could take part in farm education projects.

Has your pub

done something amazing for charity? Tell us about it and be next to feature in OMG!’s Charity

Meter!

Honeypot have helped and continue to work with thousands of children from across the UK. Most of the children are young carers who juggle school and growing up whilst performing a surrogate adult role at home. Many care for a chronically or terminally ill loved one, or have a parent with drug, alcohol

or mental health problems. Some will have been in a caring role from

as young as 5 years old, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

THE HONEYPOT CHILDREN’S CHARITY £46,855

CHARITY ALE METER!READ ABOUT SOME OF THE GRAND TOTALS RAISED FOR CHARITY OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS!

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UNSUNG O-LAND HEROES

Name: Helen Blampled Role: Barmaid/CleanerPub: The Albion, BlackpoolYears of Service: 4 Years“Helen is the sweetest, most considerate, understanding, loyal, honest person that we have had the pleasure of ever knowing and working with. Nothing is ever too much trouble. No matter how unpleasant the task is that we give her, she does it without hesitation. Helen has endured a drop in

hours to fit with our budgets without a single moan. Alongside performing her valuable bar job, she recently covered the role of morning cleaner after we lost a member of staff. Helen always has a smile on her face, regardless of what is going on in her personal life. She is a true star of the pub and Orchid family. It’s the little but important things that we can always find Helen doing. What an asset!”

Chris Brown (Manager @ the Albion, Blackpool)

Name: Karen Wrig htRole: CleanerPub: Red Lion Inn, LeicesterYears of Service: 9 Years“Karen is an inspirational person. When I arrived in the business 18 months ago there was a cleaner seriously ill and she had been off for about 3 months. I’d never met her but I’d heard great things. Karen has since returned and she certainly lives up to her reputation. She’s a total

optimist and a breath of fresh air within the business. When you meet Karen, she makes you put everything into perspective and reminds us all that we should be thankful for what we have.

The pub is always sparkling thanks to Karen. She’s an awesome team player and a wonderful person!”

Gary Dyson-Huff (Manager @ Red Lion Inn, Leicester)

Name: Christine PeakRole: CleanerPub: The Buccaneer, EastbourneYears of Service: 23 Years“23 years of service says it all. Christine is one in a million and one of those people that you have to force to take a holiday!

She always keep our pub looking clean and fantastic for us all to enjoy. Without Christine’s hard work and dedication the pub won’t look half as good as it does. We can’t thank you enough Christine!”

Steve Carthy(Manager @ the Buccaneer, Eastbourne)

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HERE ARE FOUR MEMBERS OF STAFF WHO CONTINUALLY AND TIRELESSLY LIVE AND BREATHE ORCHID’S VALUES…

Name: Mikey HorsfallRole: Valuable Team MemberPub: White Hart Hotel, HookYears of Service: 15 Years“Mikey needs a massive pat on the back. He always goes above and beyond to help us out with anything we need. He does maintenance, gardening,

kitchen, bar – everything! He is never off sick and always covers for anyone who is. I can honestly say, if we could clone Mikey there would be lots of happy Managers out there in Orchid!”

Ginni Main (Manager @ White Hart Hotel, Hook)

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PEOPLE STORIESTHERE ARE MANY INSPIRING, ENTHUSIASTIC AND HARDWORKING PEOPLE WITHIN ORCHID PUBS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THEM...

Shaun Leadbetter2013 Chef Apprentice at the Fiveways in Ormskirk3 Years Service

“The Orchid Apprentice scheme is a fantastic all-round programme that is interesting and enjoyable. It really helped me to get a good grounding in my chosen profession, with plenty of hands-on experience and support from managers.”

Rachel OnyskoManager at the Church Tavern in Birmingham12 Years of Service

“Orchid does people like no other company. There is continuing investment in people and every member of staff is recognised and supported. The development and training opportunities are second-to-none and really inspire everyone in the Orchid family to enhance their careers.”

Jo ProbertHead of Operations Free House Dining and All Inns7 Years of Service

“The Orchid business is innovative and forever changing - there is always something new coming along.

Everyone is on board with trying new things and it’s a very exciting place to be.”

Brendan CorderSenior Development Chef7 Years of Service

“We’re a dedicated, devoted and close-knit team who very much enjoy working together. Orchid has real faith in our Chefs, giving us free rein to develop innovative and exciting dishes using the best quality ingredients and produce.”

Tracy ReadHead of People8 Years of Service

“People are everything to us; without such great team members we would not have achieved what we did.

We are committed to supporting, training and inspiring our staff throughout their jobs and the company is rewarded with loyal, dedicated teams who are always happy to go the extra mile for their pubs and customers.”

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ORCHID TIMELINE July 20148

December 2012

January 2014 September 2013

December 2009 Orchid acquires 38 clubs, bars and restaurants from

Premium Bars & Restaurant Ltd – incl. the award-winning Living Room

brand

December 2013Orchid is accredited

with Investors In People Gold status – the youngest

pub and restaurant company to achieve

the accolade

May 2013

April 2013All Inns concept is

born. The brand offers a family dining experience and has something for

everyone, all under one roof

February 2010Orchid ranked 20th in the Sunday Times’ 25

Best Big Companies to Work For

June 2013Orchid achieves

Investors In People status

November 2011The launch of Orchid’s ‘O Card’, which gives our employees staff discount at our pubs

March 2012The launch of the Orchid

Apprenticeship scheme. It is the first qualification on the Orchid career ladder and offers people the chance

to earn an NVQ Level 2.

September 2013Orchid wins

Employer of the Year at the National

Apprenticeship Awards 2013

June 2009 Orchid purchases 10 Bar

Room Bar businesses

February 2008

Orchid is awarded the Sunday Times Top Track 250 based

on sales

June 2006 Orchid is born

following the purchase of 300 pubs and restaurants from Punch Taverns – coined

the ‘billion dollar start-up’,the leisure sector’s

first

July 2014 9

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ORCHID TIMELINE LOOK HOW FAR WE’VE COME OVER THE LAST 8 YEARS!

July 2014 9

November 2011 June 2011

January 2014 April 2014

January 2011‘The Halo Awards’,

Orchid’s first internal awards ceremony, is born

March 2014Orchid wins Best Pub

Employer at the Publican Awards 2014

March 2011

March 2011

Orchid’s company

magazine OMG!

(Orchid Monthly

Gossip) is born

!

February 2010Orchid ranked 20th in the Sunday Times’ 25

Best Big Companies to Work For

March 2011Pizza Kitchen and Bar

concept is born. The brand offers a unique position

in the Free Houses community with its 100% fresh dough

guarantee

November 2011The launch of Orchid’s ‘O Card’, which gives our employees staff discount at our pubs

June 2011Rufus invited to speak at the United Nations regarding Orchid’s

commitment to people and the community

February 2011 Orchid ranked 5th in

the Sunday Times’ 25 Best Big Companies to

Work For

December 2013Orchid wins Employer

of the Year at the Hospitality Guild’s

Apprenticeship Awards 2013

June 2014Mitchells & Butlers

purchase the majority of Orchid’s pubs

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OUR CHEF APPRENTICES WERE TAKEN THROUGH THEIR PACES AT THE DEVELOPMENT KITCHEN AT THE START OF JULY…

ORCHID’S WORLD OF FOOD DAY!

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IDEA METHOD

EVALUATION

“We love being creative and attempting to try something a bit different for our locals like last year’s Calendar of our girls.

After we threw around a few ideas, the one that stuck was wrestling. What could pull in the punters more than men dressed in lycra with the sun shining?”

“The company we used supplied the wrestling ring and set it up in our car park. The wrestlers all turned up and were fantastic; character-based with their own unique moves, catchphrases and make-up! We decided to charge customers £5 for an arm wrestle with the wrestlers to raise money for charity. We also played music to help the atmosphere and develop the occasion.”

COST“£300 for the wrestlers and all the equipment.”

PROMOTION“We advertised the event on Facebook and got the staff to advertise internally and externally using our chalkboards and creating posters.”

TEAM INVOLVEMENT“The team all get behind all our wacky ideas. They love coming to work and getting involved with these unusual events. It makes the working day that much more enjoyable! Happy staff means hardworking staff!”

TOTAL SALES: - £300

NET SALES: - £2,789

“As a pub we’re known in the local area for our wacky ideas. Playing on this stereotype allows us to be expressive and creative in our planning. As it’s free for the customers they love getting involved!”

WRESTLERSHaLfWay HouSE, CLWyd

Sales Supplement

CoNTaCT dETaILS: MaNagER SIMoN BakER(HaLfWay HouSE, CLWyd) 01244 819 013

EVENT

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CoNTaCT dETaILS: MaNagER SIMoN BakER(HaLfWay HouSE, CLWyd) 01244 819 013

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#STuFFYAFACESELFIE!Photos get posted to the Pizza Kitchen & Bar Facebook page along with the hashtag above – every week one photo will be chosen as our winner and the entrant will receive a free pizza! Competition runs until the 26th August. Make sure you upload your photo for a chance to win!Here are some of the best entries so far…

STEPHEN MARROW

AMY WAISTELL

ARNAUD UNVOIS

WAYNE PENFOLDCONOR MORAN

HANNAH LUMBYJENNIE WALTONELLA KING

CHLOE CHAPLIN

BETH WEAVER GWILLO

STACEY WILKINSON

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WWW.3DPUBSPORT.CO.UK

OMG!Sport

PREMIER LEaguE 2014/15

Manchester City16th August – Newcastle United (A)23rd August – Liverpool (H)30th August – Stoke City (H)13th September – Arsenal (A)20th September – Chelsea (H)

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Chelsea16th August – Burnley (A)23rd August – Leicester City (H)30th August – Everton (A)13th September – Swansea City (H)20th September – Manchester City (A)

Arsenal16th August – Crystal Palace (H)23rd August – Everton (A)30th August – Leicester City (A)13th September – Manchester City (H)20th Sepember – Aston Villa (A)

Everton16th August – Leicester City (A)23rd August – Arsenal (H)30th August – Chelsea (H)13th September – West Brom (A)20th September – Crystal Palace (H)

Tottenham16th August – West Ham (A)23rd August – Queens Park Rangers (H)30th August – Liverpool (H)13th September – Sunderland (A)20th September – West Brom (H)

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