Partnerships Powering Progress
We work in partnership with a range of charities, expert organisations and industry bodies to help us deliver against our sustainability commitments and manage the issues that matter most to our business, our people and our guests.
Our partnerships are focused on practical action and measurable impact, supporting long‑term progress across four priority areas that ensure we play an active role in driving positive change across the hospitality sector.
Thriving Communities
Supporting the heart of local life
Our local pubs are more than places to eat and drink - they are hubs of the communities they serve. Through partnerships focused on community wellbeing and social impact, we help turn local goodwill into meaningful support where it matters most.
By working with a wide range of national and local organisations, as well as causes rooted in the communities around our pubs, we support initiatives that bring people together, provide comfort in difficult moments and celebrate the role pubs play in everyday community life.
Royal Oak recognised for outstanding community impact
The Royal Oak in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, was recognised at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2025, receiving both the Fundraising Community Pub Award for England and the national award for Outstanding Contribution to the pub industry at a House of Commons ceremony attended by MPs and industry leaders.
Run by Marston’s licensee Terry Cole and his family, the pub was recognised for its long‑standing partnership with the Midland Freewheelers Blood Bikes, a volunteer service supporting the NHS with urgent deliveries of blood, samples and medication. Through sustained fundraising, the Royal Oak funded an £18,000 motorbike and continues to raise money to help maintain the charity’s fleet, which has completed over 6,000 free jobs for the NHS.
The partnership extends beyond fundraising. Three regulars have become trained Blood Bikers, while a member of the pub’s management team now serves as a coordinator, completing more than 75 volunteer shifts alongside running the pub.
Accelerating the Transition
Driving sustainable progress through collaboration
We partner with expert organisations and industry initiatives to accelerate delivery of our sustainability commitments and tackle the most complex challenges facing our business.
Through these collaborations, we are supporting our Net Zero transition, investing in low‑carbon solutions, reducing food waste and strengthening circular practices across our estate and supply chain. This work also underpins our longer‑term ambitions, helping us build the data, insight and capability needed to align with evolving best practice and recognised climate frameworks.
Accelerating decarbonisation through industry collaboration
Marston’s is a member of the Zero Carbon Forum, a collaborative industry initiative bringing together more than 70 hospitality and brewing businesses to accelerate credible, large‑scale climate action.
In its recently published Five‑Year Review, the Zero Carbon Forum highlighted the collective progress made across the sector, demonstrating what can be achieved when businesses work together on shared challenges. Over the past five years, Forum members have reduced direct energy emissions by 52%, delivering annualised savings of 825,000 tonnes of CO₂e — more than the annual carbon footprint of cities such as Bath, Southampton or York.
This progress has been achieved through practical, business‑focused action, including reducing energy waste, improving efficiency and accelerating the transition to lower‑carbon technologies. The Review also shows how collaborative climate action can strengthen operational resilience and support long‑term value creation across the sector.
Andy Kershaw, Director of Investment at Marston’s, said:
“This progress demonstrates what’s possible when businesses work together, united behind a common goal. At Marston’s, we take this shared responsibility seriously and are proud to play our part in reducing our sector’s emissions while building a greener future for our pubs and communities.”
By working in partnership with the Zero Carbon Forum and other industry leaders, Marston’s is helping to turn ambition into action and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable hospitality sector.
Employee Wellbeing & Inclusion
Supporting people to thrive
Our people are our greatest asset, and supporting their wellbeing is fundamental to building a strong, inclusive and sustainable business. Through partnerships focused on health, wellbeing and access to support, we help create environments where people feel valued, respected and able to thrive at work.
These collaborations focus on mental health, wellbeing and practical support - helping our people and partners navigate challenges, build confidence and sustain long‑term careers in hospitality.
Landmarks Specialist College
We’re proud of our long‑running partnership with Landmarks Specialist College, which helps create meaningful employment pathways for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities through supported internships in our pubs.
One brilliant example is Rhia, who has been thriving on her Supported Internship at The Gamston Lock in Nottingham. Since joining the team, Rhia has been developing real workplace skills, growing in confidence and becoming a valued part of the pub community - supported by her colleagues and the expert guidance from Landmarks.
We firmly believe that people make pubs. By creating opportunities, building confidence and helping individuals shine, partnerships like this allow people to grow, and help our teams grow too.
Watch the video to hear Rhia share her story in her own words and see the impact of this partnership first‑hand.
Responsible Hospitality & Industry Leadership
Shaping standards and building trust
Operating responsibly also means playing an active role in shaping the future of our industry. Through partnerships with industry bodies, charities and policymakers, we contribute to the development of best practice and help influence positive change – ensuring Marston’s is not just responding to change, but helping lead it.
These relationships support high standards in areas such as responsible drinking, safety, governance and public policy, while helping us navigate an evolving regulatory landscape.
Supporting responsible drinking and guest safety
Our long standing 10-year partnership with Drinkaware, the UK’s leading alcohol charity, reflects our commitment to responsible hospitality and our duty of care to guests.
Through our support, we contribute to Drinkaware’s mission to reduce alcohol harm by providing evidence based information, practical digital tools and signposting to support services across the UK.
Drinkaware uses its expertise to give governments, industry, communities and individuals the knowledge and support to make informed decisions about alcohol and how to reduce the harm that excess consumption can cause.
Through the charity’s website and digital tools such as the Drinking Check and MyDrinkaware app, individuals can check their drinking, understand alcohol units and calories, and be supported to stay within the UK Chief Medical Officer’s low risk drinking guidelines. Drinkaware’s new UK wide Alcohol Support Service Finder is designed to help people who may be at risk of alcohol dependence find appropriate local support quickly and without judgement.
As a pub operator, we believe promoting alcohol awareness and moderation is central to guest safety and trust. By supporting Drinkaware and engaging with its resources, we help ensure our pubs remain welcoming, responsible social spaces - while contributing to wider efforts to improve public understanding of alcohol moderation and reduce harm.
Turning partnership into impact
Across all our partnerships, the aim is the same: to learn, collaborate and amplify our collective impact. Together with our partners, we’re building stronger communities, supporting our people and helping shape a responsible, resilient hospitality sector - today and for the long term.
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