Keith explains how M&B has been supportive of the LGBTQ+ community

To celebrate National Coming Out Day this year, we spoke to several people at M&B to hear about their experience, including Keith Meadows who works at The Hesketh Arms Pub & Restaurant. Keith is one of our front of house staff members at this Vintage Inns in Southport and is also currently enrolled on our Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor Apprenticeship.

Whether you want to rise up the ranks in hospitality like Keith is doing or find a part-time job to fund your studies , there could be the perfect position for you with us. M&B is a great place to work, regardless of sexuality or gender. We’re a very inclusive company and always have been.

Read on to hear from Keith how we’ve been showing our continued support of the LGBTQ+ community and don’t forget to come back and read the next blog in this diversity series.

1. What made you decide to join Mitchells & Butlers?

“I joined M&B because I was looking for a fresh change and decided I would try working in the hospitality industry . My brother works for Toby Carvery and has done for many years, and he told me that working for M&B was a great choice out of all the other competitor chains. He was right! Working at The Hesketh Arms suits me well for its flexibility, hours, team, management and opportunities. Not to mention that we are rewarded and recognised for our hard work.”

2. How have you seen Mitchells & Butlers support the LGBTQ+ community?

“I have seen a number of social media posts from M&B supporting the community and raising awareness. Then there’s the new M&B yourself page , which is a place where the community can join and talk openly and freely about LGBTQ+ experiences, news, and what it’s like to be an LGBTQ+ person in their workplace. The business has also shared many of our stories, including a post about the recent 10km pride run that the LGBTQ+ community participated in.”

3. How have you been supported on a more personal level?

“At my workplace, I feel like I can talk openly and freely as a gay man. My team and management are really understanding and are open to discussions. I feel like I don't have to dim my light or hide things about myself at work, which is what a workplace should be like - inclusive for all. All businesses and their employees should be aiming for this if they want LGBTQ+ allies to feel like they fit in.”

4. What can the hospitality industry do to make the workplace more inclusive?

“I think there is training that could be done to educate our teams at work. We need to initiate discussions where we challenge the old ways of thinking. In schools, they’re now teaching LGBTQ+ topics , so maybe there could be a course that would teach teams about today's LGBTQ+ terminology and our way of life.”

At M&B, we're always learning and taking on feedback. So stay tuned!

5. Why is Mitchells & Butlers a great place for LGBTQ+ allies?

“From my experience working for M&B for nearly three years, I have had great chats about LGBTQ+ topics and educated people where they haven’t had a good understanding. Their responses showed they were willing to listen, and they made valid points without confrontation.

I have met some great colleagues who I call close friends. They are willing to listen, don't judge and treat you like any other human being. We have a number of LGBTQ+ people in our workplace, and this acceptance makes us feel valued, included, and part of a collective team. We feel we can share our stories and relationship experiences when non-LGBTQ+ people are talking about their own experiences.”

Join the M&B family

We all know it’s the people and the culture that make work so worthwhile. So if you want to be a part of our front of house team like Keith is, why not search our bar and waiting jobs ?

Alternatively, browse our kitchen jobs or management roles to find a position that is suited to you or learn more about diversity at M&B. No matter who you are or what your background is, our teams will welcome you in with open arms.