National Hospitality Day was launched last year to celebrate the brilliant, resilient restaurants, pubs, hotels, bars, cafes, and the amazing people who work within them. Despite the worst of the pandemic, the industry demonstrated just how hospitality makes our communities better. Last year, over £50,000 was raised as businesses were asked to incorporate a fundraising element into their activities to support charities (specifically Drinks Trust, Springboard, Hospitality Action, Only a Pavement Away and Licensed Trade Charity).

This National Hospitality Day is a chance to showcase businesses whilst bringing the local community together in celebration and support. With things finally coming back to normality after Covid, it is a great opportunity to show all that is great about UK hospitality and act as a financial aid for a sector that was hit hardest. Even now, the sector is struggling with spiralling food and energy costs and staffing shortages, which we have seen has led to the closure of some of our favourite places. This is a chance to remind the public of the huge role that the hospitality industry plays in the wider economy.

Getting Involved:
Whether a business or customer, we can all do our part to get involved in National Hospitality Day and the common aim is for participating businesses to showcase the industry at its best: creative, entertaining, nourishing, engaging, at the hub of our communities and providing jobs and income for the country.

There is a whole host of ideas that businesses can use in their fundraising, such as offering guests a freebie and in return for your generosity, asking customers to donate equivalent value to a hospitality charity, or hosting events where proceeds can be donated to the campaign, or even getting the wider team or suppliers to help. Your drinks or food suppliers may be able to donate product to support your fundraising – and encourage your business contacts and their families to enjoy the fun.

For other businesses or customers that want to also get involved, throw a team party, staff awards, family fun day, or support another local operator after work (like we are!). And of course, for those bigger businesses that can afford it, matching funds can be a great incentive to the most innovative and effective fundraisers.

Let’s call on the nation to support our sector by visiting their favourite venue on 30th September and celebrate National Hospitality Day. Below you can find some of the beans’ favourite hospitality businesses.

Our Recommendations:

The Four Horseshoes, Chobham:
One of Courtney’s top spots for its cosy corners, delicious menu and accommodating nature. In winter, there’s a roaring fire and blankets on hand, whilst in summer the outdoor space overlooks a green with horses trotting by. Plus, it’s super dog-friendly so that’s always a win. To sum up – as wholesome as it gets.
www.fourhorseshoeschobham.co.uk

L’ultimo Cucina Italiana, Leatherhead:
A lovely local restaurant on the high street of Leatherhead, L’ultimo has Italian food to die for. Giovanni and his team provide a memorable dining experience with authentic Italian food and, in our bean Alvi’s opinion, some of the best pizza’s around!
www.lultimo.co.uk

Coffee Culture, Guildford:
Tucked away off Guildford’s main high street, Coffee Culture is an independent café serving everyone’s caffeinated favourites, as well as a stellar breakfast, brunch and lunch menu. Perfect fuel for shopping.
www.mycoffeeculture.co.uk

Monte Forte Pizza, Reigate:
A fabulous team of young, dedicated people who started life as a mobile pizza truck and have built the business up to two bricks and mortar restaurants. Taking the adage of ‘doing one thing, really well’ Monte Forte do wonderful Napoli style pizza, with huge soft crusts, beautiful toppings and great local beer. According to Andy & Sooz, Friday nights aren’t complete without a trip to see them.
monteforte.co.uk

Gwyn’s Bakery, Horsham:
Our bean Emma first discovered this place during lockdown and it has since become a firm favourite. They are a sourdough specialist who use local ingredients to bake the freshest hand-made breads and pastries. She highly recommends the divine cinnamon buns!
gwynsbakery.co.uk

El Pic in Camberley, Surrey:
If you love tapas and themed dining, this is the perfect place for you. Serving deliciously authentic dishes (the Pinchito Moruno is a favourite), excellent wines and even gluten-free beers, it’s a menu you never tire of. Jess loves that stepping foot inside El Pic immediately transports you to a beautiful Spanish restaurant with such an electric buzz. El Pic is the longest standing independent restaurant in Camberley (the town our bean Jess calls home). You’ll have to take her word for it when she says, she can see why.
www.elpic.co.uk

The Abinger Hatch Pub, Dorking:
First recommended to Sooz and Andy by fellow bean Nick, it’s become their go to pub, so much so they even hosted their pre-wedding dinner there.
From their Sunday roasts with beer battered onion rings, to their amazing selection of craft beer and lager, they are what a pub should be – all set in the beautiful Surrey Hills.
theabingerhatch.co.uk

Charlie and Ginger, Leatherhead:
A firm favourite and a recommendation on any new bean’s first day, it is safe to say that Charlie and Ginger is our go-to coffee shop when we are in the office! Whenever anyone mentions the name, our ears prick-up and heads whip round, ready to order our favourite drinks. This independent coffee house is not only great for drinks, but their freshly baked pastries and sandwiches are also well worth a try.
charlieandginger.com

To find out more and to get involved in National Hospitality Day, visit https://nationalhospitalityday.org.uk/. Don’t forget to post and tag us in your celebrations this Friday – @jellybeanagency
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