Jonathon Childs, operator of The Garden House, Norwich has been awarded the British Institute of Innkeeping’s (BII) Heart of the Community Award in recognition for his hard work supporting his community during lockdown in November this year.
 
Jonathon worked with many local charities during both national lockdowns, helping to raise money for important causes. But one stand out initiative, in particular, was with Only a Pavement Away, a hospitality charity with a focus on helping the homeless. Together with OAPA, The Garden House handed out over 3,000 meal pouches and 300 Winter Warmth Flasks to the homeless in Norwich and Great Yarmouth. The meal pouches included a variety of dishes as well as tinned food and cutlery. The 3,000 meal pouches were split across different local initiatives including: St Martins Hostels; Norwich City Council’s Pathway Scheme; Tribal Trust Soup Kitchen in Great Yarmouth; Project Nova; Soul Church’s soup kitchen and the Red Cross.
 
The Garden House is part of the award-winning Craft Union Pub Company and this charitable activity formed part of the company-wide initiative at Craft Union, called Tears for Tiers – a campaign helping local communities throughout the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions.
 
The Heart of the Community award is uniquely not about competing companies or individuals against each other and recognises all those the industry body believes have gone above and beyond for their communities. Jonathon is one of 106 national recipients to have been recognised so far this year.
 
Jonathon said: “We’re so proud and honoured to have been awarded this accolade by the British Institute of Innkeeping! It means a lot to be able to contribute to the reputation of Craft Union pubs as the centre of our communities too. We’ve always been about supporting the people in our area, and it’s an honour to help Only A Pavement Away and their Winter Warmth initiative, on a wider scale.
 
“We’re still running a food bank out of the pub, as well as making up Christmas stockings for the local school children and asylum-seeking children in Norwich. Thank you to our lovely community who have donated either money or items and continue to support us.
 
Frazer Grimbleby, Operations Director of Craft Union, said: “We are incredibly proud of the amazing work undertaken by Jonathon during lockdown, and to have had this achievement recognised by the BII through the Heart of the Community Award is testament to just how dedicated he is to his community.
 
“At Craft Union, our ethos is centred around our communities and to see that reflected in the day-to-day actions of our operators throughout lockdown is truly heart-warming”
 
The Garden House, 1 Pembroke Road, Norwich, NR2 3HD
 
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