You'll soon be able to charge your electric car at these Marston's pubs
In a first for the UK drinks industry, Wolverhampton-based Marston's has unveiled plans for more than 200 rapid electric vehicle charging points at pubs across the UK.
Pubs in the Black Country and the surrounding area will become part of the rolling programme of charging points early in the New Year.
The rapid EV points will be able to charge up to three cars at any one time and is a link-up between Marston’s Inns and Taverns pub business and electric vehicle charging network operator Engenie.
The partnership is the first of its kind for the UK pub hospitality sector and is one of a string of ‘firsts’ for the award-winning Marston’s Energy team that has the job of making the pub company 'greener' and more sustainable.
The installation of the 400 rapid EV chargers, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, will provide customers with electric cars the opportunity to charge their car quickly and efficiently, all from the comfort of a Marston’s pub or lodge.
After an initial roll-out of the EV points over Christmas, including the Severn Gorge pub in Telford in January, the new year will see charging points opening up at pubs including the Oddfellows at Compton, the Apple Tree at Bilston, Moreton Arms at Fordhouses, Spread Eagle at Gailey, the Chestnut Tree at Wednesbury, the Watermill in Kidderminster and Brierley's Hop House.
Andy Kershaw, head of facilities management and projects for Marston’s, said: “Our goal is to be the UK’s most environmentally efficient pub business – and with a number of initiatives already taking off, we are working really hard to make that a reality.
"All of our new build pubs are already running at the highest eco-efficiency across the sector, so to be able to secure the partnership with Engenie has been incredible and through innovation has allowed us to continue driving the highest possible environmental standards.”
Patrick Sherriff, business development director for Engenie, added: “Our national network of rapid chargers is having a significant positive impact on local air quality; another feather in the cap of Marston’s already impressive long-terms environmental commitments.
"At the same time our easy to use rapid EV charging points will put the customer at the centre of the EV transition.”
The first rapid EV chargers are being launched at The Bakehouse in Welwyn Garden City with the roll-out continuing across 200 sites by 2020.
Employing 1,000 at its headquarters and distribution hub next to Banks's Brewery, Marston's has 1,545 pubs nationwide.
