Bundaberg Rum has launched the $11.5m Raising the Bar fund to support licensed venues across Australia struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund has been designed to support the ongoing recovery of bars, pubs, and clubs as they adapt to changing trading restrictions.
Managing Director at Bundaberg Rum’s parent company Diageo Australia Angus McPherson said the fund was its way of supporting local venues.
“‘Combined with the financial hit they’ve already taken following widespread lockdowns and severely restricted trading, Raising the Bar is about Bundaberg Rum helping our neighbourhood ‘local’ prepare for and get back to sustainable trading in this new environment so they can again be places for family and friends to come together and connect socially and safely,” Mr McPherson said.
“Even in states where some restrictions have eased and venues have been able to reopen, there will be an ongoing financial burden on many venues that must now regularly purchase safety equipment and supplies such as hand sanitiser and PPE.
“We want to help as many Australian bars, pubs and clubs as we can, so I encourage venues to head to the website and submit an application for Raising the Bar support.”
Whether a venue is currently allowed to serve customers on-site; is only operating as a takeaway business; or is temporarily closed due to lockdown restrictions; Raising the Bar aims to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of Australia’s hospitality industry through the supply of equipment and services to approved applicants.
Raising the Bar support may include:
- essential safety equipment such as hand sanitiser and dispensers, PPE, and thermal scanners
- mobile bars, tables, umbrellas, and take-away/disposable containers
- consumer confidence-building through PR and media amplification
The application process outlines options to apply for immediate, medium, and/or long-term support.
Immediate support will provide essential safety equipment as part of the ‘Bear Cares Safety’ package.
Medium-term support will promote safe outdoor socialising through the ‘Bundy Bear Garden’ package. These packages will help venues host safe on-premise experiences for their patrons both indoors and outdoors.
Long-term support through the ‘Bearspoke’ package will provide tailored solutions for selected venues to promote safe on-premise experiences including safe live sport viewing.
Venues can also apply for PR and media support to help promote their venue to patrons, increase footfall in line with capacity limits, and increase consumer confidence in their COVIDsafe practices.
Applications are now open for all options and support will be awarded now through to end June 2022 or until support funding is exhausted.
While Raising the Bar is a Bundaberg Rum initiative, applicants don’t need to be an existing Bundaberg Rum (or its parent company Diageo) customer or stockist to apply for funding.
For further information on Raising the Bar and the application process on the submission page.
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A great bundy Rum advertising package labelled, we are helping people.