Aims to address cost-of-living crisis
A growing pub and restaurant group has launched a charity to tackle increasing levels of poverty.
Manoview Group, which owns the Commercial in Wishaw, The Torrance Hotel in East Kilbride and the Busby Hotel among others.
The independently owned hospitality group was established in 2007 and now operates 11 venues. On the 31 May the company revealed its new branding and plans for the new charity to its 500 strong team at an allcompany event in the Old Fruitmarket Steve Graham, the group’s founder and chief executive unveiled the new company branding and set the Manorview team an ambitious mission to make life better through the actions and services they deliver while at work.
The following day he revealed his plans to suppliers and partners at a special lunch. Explaining the decision to set up the Manorview Foundation, he said, “About 1/5th of Scotland’s people are living in relative poverty. And one in four children are affected, meaning they have limited or no access to life’s essentials like food, warm clothes, books and more – greatly disadvantaging them as they grow up.
“We have the people, resources, networks, and skills to make people’s lives better, so we absolutely must act. We know how to develop properties, operate venues, cook meals, host guests, and run events. And we know we could be using these skills to make a difference.”
Although the foundation carries the Manorview name, the charity is a separate registered charity, which is being steered and managed by Glasgow charity director Robert McHarg, who has 20 years of third sector experience, and established children’s charity Achieve More Scotland in 2009, said,
“The charity’s mission is to use hospitality to make life better for people living in poverty. We’ll do this by providing meals, hosting events, and distributing goods and products. We’re aiming to be active in 40 of West Central Scotland’s most deprived areas by June 2026.
“In October of this year, Manorview’s Coatbridge property, which is being used as a function hire space, will become a base to deliver services for people in the area who are impacted by poverty.”
Head of marketing Kirstin Watson said, “We want people to know that we are more than the venues we have and the hospitality services we deliver.
“We’re a bold, optimistic, forward-thinking business who is determined to use our opportunities and successes to make a positive impact. We stand for something much bigger than what we do, and we wanted a bold brand that would help us represent this!”
