Hundreds of staff have been given a pay boost five months early to thank them for their hard work during the pandemic.
Nottingham-based Castle Rock Brewery is implementing the National Minimum wage increase for employees from November 1 instead of waiting until next year when it becomes law.
The minimum wage is expected to increase from £8.91 per hour to £9.42 in April, making full-time employees £1,000 a year better off.
The company operates the award-winning brewery, in Queensbridge Road, behind beers such as Harvest Pale and Elsie Mo, and runs some of Nottingham's best loved pubs including the Vat & Fiddle, the Canalhouse, the Embankment and the Fox and Grapes.
“This is a big investment for us, especially with rising business costs," said managing director Colin Wilde.
“However, the cost of living is rising too, and we recognise that a little bit extra can go a long way to help with bills during winter and the expense of Christmas.”
In the early days of the pandemic, senior management at Castle Rock made substantial salary sacrifices in the hope of protecting more than 300 jobs.
Mr Wilde himself took a minimum wage salary.
This led to the company launching the Castle Rock Hardship Fund, which provides emergency financial support to employees in crisis.
“Our people are everything. We want to ensure they are looked after and supported as we navigate our way out of the pandemic,” added Mr Wilde.
Operations director Vicki Saxby said she hoped the rise would make the festive period more comfortable for everyone.
“Without their dedication and hard work, we wouldn’t be where we are now. The business has only survived thanks to the efforts of our Castle Rock family,” she said.
Castle Rock is looking to take on more workers.
It is holding a recruitment day on Thursday October 21 at the Canalhouse, Canal Street, between 12noon and 7pm.
Anyone is invited to attend and have a face-to-face chat with the team about career opportunities.
