Stonegate Group is the UK’s largest pub company and a proud leader in hospitality, with over 600 managed venues nationwide. Our portfolio spans high-street icons and neighbourhood locals, featuring much-loved brands including Slug & Lettuce, Popworld, Be At One, SPK (Social Pub & Kitchen), Heritage, Pubsmiths, and The People’s Pub.

Our purpose is simple: to create memorable experiences for every guest, every time. We blend national scale with local personality, empowering our teams to deliver the very best in socialising, celebration, and community connection.

Our Vision for Christmas 2025

Christmas is the heartbeat of the bar industry — and for Stonegate, it’s our moment to shine. Our vision is to be the go-to destination for every festive celebration in the UK.

We deliver this through a centrally driven, locally delivered approach:

Creative campaigns and brand-specific décor packs that transform each venue into a festive showpiece.

Curated menus and packages designed for every occasion, from intimate catch-ups to full-scale office parties.

Digital innovation that makes booking, pre-ordering, and organising seamless.

Empowered teams trained and motivated to deliver service with warmth, flair, and fun.

Our aim is for every guest to leave feeling celebrated, connected, and ready to return — because the magic of Christmas happens through people, and ours are the best in the business.

Why We Stand Out

Stonegate delivers scale with soul: operational excellence supported by passionate people and a genuine commitment to community. Through innovation, consistency, and creativity, we make every venue a stage for unforgettable moments.

This Christmas — and all year round — we’re proud to lead the industry in bringing people together.
Stonegate Group: where great nights start, and memories last.

At Stonegate Group, our festive strategy celebrates both creativity and consistency across our 800+ managed venues. Each of our brands – from Slug & Lettuce’s glamorous celebrations to Popworld’s nostalgic party nights and Be At One’s cocktail-fuelled fun – has a distinct identity. Yet together, they share one purpose: to deliver unforgettable Christmas experiences that bring people together.

Our 2025 festive concepts are built around the idea of “Moments That Matter” – creating joy, connection, and celebration across every occasion. Each brand interprets this theme through its own lens:

Slug & Lettuce embraces sparkle and sophistication, with elegant décor, photo-worthy moments, and indulgent menus designed for group celebrations.

Popworld goes bold with retro Christmas classics, themed entertainment, and vibrant décor that keeps guests dancing all night.

Be At One delivers high-energy cocktail mastery and late-night glamour, perfect for festive parties with flair.

SPK (Social Pub & Kitchen), Heritage, Pubsmiths, and The People’s Pub celebrate community spirit — offering warm, welcoming spaces, great value festive menus, and entertainment that brings people together at the heart of their local.

To ensure creativity with consistency, we combine centralised planning with local execution. Our in-house marketing and brand teams craft inspiring creative toolkits, digital assets, and training resources that empower every site to bring the festive vision to life while staying true to its individual brand personality.

We also give our operators freedom to add local touches — from bespoke events to charity partnerships — ensuring every venue feels authentic to its guests and community.

This balance of structure and individuality makes Stonegate’s Christmas campaigns stand out: every venue distinct, yet all united by one mission — to deliver the UK’s most memorable festive celebrations.

At Stonegate Group, we believe the festive season should feel magical from the moment guests walk through the door. Across our diverse managed estate, every venue transforms into a celebration space that captures the spirit of Christmas in its own unique way — while maintaining the high-quality standards and energy that define our brands.

Our approach begins with show-stopping décor. Each brand receives a bespoke creative pack that reflects its personality — from Slug & Lettuce’s elegant, Instagram-ready sparkle and floral winter installations to Popworld’s explosion of colour, glitter, and nostalgia. Be At One sets the stage with moody lighting, metallic accents, and theatrical cocktail flair, while SPK (Social Pub & Kitchen), Heritage, Pubsmiths, and The People’s Pub focus on warmth, comfort, and community with traditional touches, twinkling lights, and festive foliage.

Lighting and music are key to setting the mood. Dynamic lighting schemes shift throughout the evening — soft glows for dining, vibrant effects for late-night celebrations. Carefully curated playlists blend Christmas classics with modern favourites, ensuring every moment feels familiar yet fresh.

Entertainment brings the experience to life: from live bands and DJs to quizzes, drag brunches, and festive karaoke. Many venues host themed party nights, charity events, and exclusive NYE countdowns — creating reasons for guests to return again and again.

Above all, our teams are the heart of the atmosphere. Their warmth, energy, and passion ensure every guest feels welcome and valued, whether they’re celebrating with colleagues, friends, or family.

Through the perfect mix of décor, music, lighting, entertainment, and hospitality, Stonegate venues deliver unforgettable festive experiences — turning every visit into a memory worth sharing.

At Stonegate Group, our festive menus and drinks packages are designed to delight every guest and suit every celebration — from intimate meals to high-energy party nights. We blend innovation, quality, and value across all our venues, ensuring every brand offers something distinct yet unmistakably “Stonegate.”

Our central food and drink development teams work closely with brand leaders and suppliers to craft seasonal menus that balance tradition with trend. Whether it’s a classic Christmas dinner reimagined with premium ingredients or indulgent sharing platters designed for social occasions, every dish is built around flavour, presentation, and experience.

Each brand brings its own personality to the plate:

Slug & Lettuce offers stylish, elevated dining with festive small plates, vegan options, and decadent desserts perfect for group celebrations.

Popworld and Be At One lead with fun, vibrant cocktail ranges — think limited-edition festive serves, theatrical presentation, and Instagrammable moments at the bar.

SPK (Social Pub & Kitchen), Heritage, Pubsmiths, and The People’s Pub focus on hearty comfort food, indulgent festive burgers, and great value set menus that feel generous and authentic.

Our drinks packages showcase innovation and ease — from pre-orderable cocktail trees and prosecco towers to customisable bundles for large parties. This approach simplifies the guest journey while maximising choice and revenue potential.

Quality is at the heart of everything we serve. We partner with trusted suppliers, maintain rigorous food and drink standards, and provide our teams with expert training to ensure consistency across every site.

Together, these elements create a memorable, high-quality festive offering that delivers not just great taste, but genuine excitement — ensuring every celebration with Stonegate feels special.

Delivering a smooth, professional, and high-quality experience across more than 600 managed venues requires precision, preparation, and people who care. At Stonegate Group, our approach to operational excellence is built on strong leadership, robust training, and a culture of pride in service.

In the lead-up to the festive season, we implement a comprehensive operational plan designed to support every venue, from staffing and logistics to guest experience. Each brand receives tailored festive guidelines, service standards, and checklists developed by our central operations and training teams. This ensures consistency across the group while allowing flexibility for local execution.

Our Bar to Boardroom training framework ensures every team member – from new starters to senior managers – has the skills and confidence to deliver exceptional service. Pre-Christmas workshops, online modules, and in-venue coaching sessions cover everything from guest engagement to responsible retailing and event management.

We prioritise professionalism through empowerment. General Managers are encouraged to lead from the front, setting the tone for team energy, service standards, and guest satisfaction. Regional and area managers provide hands-on support throughout the season, ensuring real-time communication and operational focus.

Technology also plays a vital role. Our central systems help forecast demand, streamline stock and labour planning, and provide data insights to anticipate and respond quickly to trading trends.

Most importantly, we celebrate our people. Internal recognition programmes and incentives reward great performance, while our “We Are Stonegate” culture fosters teamwork, pride, and fun – the ingredients that make every guest experience special.

Together, these measures ensure smooth, professional, and consistent service across the entire Stonegate estate, delivering festive celebrations that run seamlessly and leave a lasting impression on every guest.

At Stonegate Group, we recognise that Christmas is not only a time to celebrate, but also a moment to give back — to our communities, our people, and our planet. As the UK’s largest pub company, we take our responsibility seriously, embedding sustainability and social impact into everything we do throughout the festive season and beyond.

Our group-wide ESG strategy focuses on reducing our environmental footprint while supporting the communities that make our venues thrive. During Christmas, we bring these values to life through national and local initiatives designed to make a real difference.

Environmentally, we continue to build on our commitment to reduce waste and energy use across our 600+ managed venues. Festive operations follow our “Green Christmas” guidelines, including smarter energy management, eco-friendly décor options, and reduced single-use materials. We champion responsible sourcing by working with trusted suppliers to minimise food miles and maximise recyclable or reusable packaging.

Community connection is at the heart of our festive programme. Through The People’s Pub, Heritage, Pubsmiths, and SPK divisions in particular, our teams partner with local charities, food banks, and community groups to host Christmas lunches, fundraising events, and toy drives. Our venues collectively raise hundreds of thousands of pounds each year for causes that matter locally.

We also empower our people to give back. Our Community Hero awards recognise team members who go above and beyond for their neighbourhoods, while our “We Are Stonegate” culture encourages volunteering and local engagement.

By combining national impact with local action, Stonegate Group ensures the festive season leaves more than just happy memories — it leaves a positive legacy of care, community spirit, and environmental responsibility.

What sets Stonegate Group apart in the competitive Christmas market is our ability to combine scale with individuality — delivering consistently high-quality food, drink, and experiences across 800+ venues while allowing each brand to shine with its own festive flair.

Our catering stands out because it’s built on innovation, flexibility, and guest insight. We know that Christmas means different things to different people — from office parties and friends’ reunions to family gatherings — so our festive offering caters to every occasion, taste, and budget. Whether it’s a three-course festive feast at Slug & Lettuce, cocktail masterclasses at Be At One, or a community Christmas dinner at a People’s Pub, each experience feels distinct, yet unmistakably Stonegate.

We take pride in quality and presentation. Our chefs and development teams work year-round to design menus that celebrate the season, using trusted suppliers, premium ingredients, and trend-led ideas that elevate traditional favourites. Paired with bespoke drinks packages, theatrical serves, and seamless table service, our venues create experiences that go far beyond the expected.

Beyond the plate, our service is what truly sets us apart. Every team member is trained to deliver with warmth, professionalism, and personality, ensuring guests feel welcomed, cared for, and celebrated.

Technology and innovation also enhance our catering experience. From online pre-orders and dynamic menu management to allergen transparency and digital booking tools, we make the guest journey effortless from start to finish.

In short, Stonegate’s festive catering stands out because it delivers quality at every level — food, drink, service, and atmosphere — brought to life by passionate people who make every celebration unforgettable.

Because for us, it’s never just a meal — it’s a moment to remember.