Shepherd Neame believes strongly in a responsible approach to the consumption and retailing of alcohol.
We believe that well-run pubs, parental guidance, individual responsibility and suitable education are the way to
establish a sensible attitude to drinking.
The traditional pub is a controlled environment that supports the moderate consumption of lower alcohol products
such as beer. Our Licensees all sign our Social Responsibility Charter and are committed to running safe premises in
which sensible, moderate drinking is the norm. The company is dedicated to discouraging excessive drinking and so-called
binge-drinking.
We promote the Challenge 21 initiative to help reduce underage sales. We also support the Portman Group, the Drinkaware
Trust, the Campaign for Smarter Drinking, Pubwatch, Pub is the Hub, the BII and other industry initiatives. We do not
believe that '24-hour opening' is appropriate for our businesses.
We assist teenagers to find out more about responsible drinking with school visits to the brewery for educational
sessions with our young visitor co-ordinators, as well as promoting the safe socialising message through sponsorship
of a schools drama competition and a youth magazine.
Our efforts in this field led to a National Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in 2006, followed
by the Kent Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in 2008.
For more information, go to www.drinkaware.co.uk