We're committed to contributing to the communities we serve. Our employees often live and work in these areas and we are determined to act in a manner that will enhance our reputation. Reflecting the importance we place upon this activity' our Corporate & Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee meets at least quarterly' under the stewardship of the Group's Finance Director who is ultimately responsible for all CSR initiatives within the Group.

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Our heritage

Being an integral part of the communities we serve is fundamental to our future success' and we recognise that we have a part to play in the preservation of our rich and diverse heritage.

Many of our buildings are listed or have local historical associations and all development work' in our pubs or brewery sites' reflects this. As well as going through all the normal planning processes we will' where appropriate' consult with other bodies such as English Heritage prior to starting work. An example of this is the upgrade of the brewhouse at Burton.

Extensive consultation was undertaken with English Heritage prior to work commencing and the resulting in an operation that retains many original features reflecting its brewing lineage' as well as bringing significant environmental benefits.

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Charitable donations

Each year our licensed retail managers' pub staff and tenants raise significant amounts of money for many different charitable causes through local pub based activity and contributions from the Marston's Inns and Taverns Local Heroes Foundation. Donations from the foundation are funded directly from contributions made by employees within its' head office function' which are then matched by the Marston's Inns and Taverns division.

In addition to providing prizes and administrative support for the charitable activities of their tenants and lessees' Marston's Pub Company raises money for nominated charities and Marston's Beer Company makes hundreds of prize donations for charitable activities run by its Free Trade customers.

Our employees also run their own Marston's Employee Charity Fund' which we are proud to support. This fund is run by employees for employees and since its inception has raised well over £160'000 for local causes. In the last twelve months the fund has made donations totalling some £12'000 to a range of good local causes nominated by our employees. In support of this the Group runs Give As You Earn arrangements for employees enabling them to make tax-efficient donations to this' or any other registered charity of their choice. The administration charges for running this scheme are borne by the Group' thereby ensuring that employees' donations are given in their entirety to good causes.

click here for more information about the employee charity fund