Santa clocks in early: 30,000 free festive meals for West Midlands shift workers
Thousands of West Midlands shift workers are being treated to an early Christmas dinner as pub company Greene King launches The Big Christmas Shift – a nationwide initiative offering 30,000 free meals on Monday December 1.
The scheme is designed for those who will be working on Christmas Day, giving them a chance to relax and enjoy a festive meal before the big day.
Around 10,000 meals will be reserved for Blue Light Card members, recognising NHS staff, carers and emergency services who keep the country running while others celebrate.
Across the region, dozens of Greene King pubs – including The Malt House (Birmingham) and The Old House at Home (Harborne) – will take part alongside local favourites across the wider West Midlands.
The campaign coincides with Greene King’s new Christmas advert, which reimagines Santa in his original green suit – the colour he wore before red became the norm – to symbolise tradition, care and community.
In the ad, Greene Santa thanks those who ‘don’t just work at Christmas, but who make Christmas work.’
The initiative comes as new research from Greene King reveals 53% of people who have worked on Christmas Day feel under-appreciated for keeping essential services going.
Andrew Gallagher, Brand and Marketing Director at Greene King, said: “While most of us are sitting down for Christmas lunch, millions are hard at work.
“The Big Christmas Shift is our way of saying thank you – giving them their own moment to celebrate, relax and enjoy a meal with all the trimmings.”
Eligible shift workers can sign up for their free meal before 17 November via greeneking.co.uk/christmas/big-christmas-shift
