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Shepherd Neame Teams Up With Pub Licensee To Support Whitstable Yacht



Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has teamed up with the licensee of its Whitstable pub, The Old Neptune, to support a local yacht competing in an international race.


The Sailing Yacht Cormorant will take part in the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts in Malta on Saturday (October 17), becoming the first yacht from Whitstable to take part in the prestigious event.


Sponsored jointly by Shepherd Neame and The Old Neptune’s licensee Darren Wilton, the yacht will be sailed by Whitstable resident Patrick Maflin, Director and Founder of Marine Accounts, and members of his team. The Kent accountancy firm has spent the last 12 years working with crews, captains and marine professionals across the yachting industry.


Now in its 47th year, the race will start from Malta’s historic Grand Harbour, with the fleet setting off beneath the fortified walls of Valletta before racing out into the Mediterranean.


Affectionately known as ‘The Neppy’, The Old Neptune is one of the country’s most recognisable coastal pubs, thanks to its unique beachfront location. The logos of both the pub and Shepherd Neame’s Whitstable Bay range will be displayed on the yacht’s hull throughout the race.


The award-winning Whitstable Bay collection comprises Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Whitstable Bay Lager and Whitstable Bay 0.5% Pale Ale. Inspired by the seaside town just a few miles from Shepherd Neame’s historic Faversham Brewery, the range celebrates the character and heritage of the Kent coast.


Licensee of The Old Neptune, Darren Wilton, said:

“Pat is a local at The Old Neptune, and I’ve known him for more than 20 years - we even call him Captain Pat! When he mentioned he would be showcasing Whitstable with a yacht race around Sicily, I really wanted the pub to get involved. You can’t showcase Whitstable without The Old Neptune! We hope the team do well and come back here for a celebratory drink after the race.”

Shepherd Neame Head of Brands Rose Davis said:

“We are thrilled to support the team aboard the Sailing Yacht Cormorant for this historic race. As the first yacht from Whitstable to take on the Rolex Middle Sea Race, this is a fantastic opportunity to introduce our Whitstable Bay range, The Old Neptune pub, and everything else the seaside town has to offer, to an international audience. We wish the team the best of luck!”

From Malta, the fleet heads north towards Sicily before passing through the Strait of Messina, a narrow stretch of water between Sicily and mainland Italy.


The yachts will then race around the volcanic island of Stromboli, along the northern coast of Sicily, and around the western islands of the course, before heading south past Pantelleria and Lampedusa.


The final stretch takes the boats back towards Malta and the finish line, covering approximately 606 nautical miles. The race attracts a diverse field of competitors, from some of the world’s fastest professional racing yachts to experienced amateur crews taking on a demanding offshore challenge. Conditions can include light winds, heavy seas and challenging currents, with crews spending long periods racing through the night. For some, completing the course takes several days at sea.


Patrick said:

“We started with an idea not just to sail a course, but to build a legacy. With the support of Shepherd Neame and The Old Neptune, that idea has become a reality.”

The race can be followed live on the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Rolex Middle Sea Race social media channels, with commentary in English.


Find out more here. 

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Leading Scottish hospitality group Buzzworks has enjoyed another successful year as the business reports an increase in turnover, up 18 per cent from £29.9m to £34.8m, for 2024.


The company, renowned for its exceptional food and customer service, continues to go from strength to strength, with operating profit rising significantly.


Underlying EBITDA, before site opening costs and non-recurring items, grew from £2.94m in 2023 to £3.77m in 2024, as investment continued to be top of the agenda for the year.


Buzzworks’ growth is supported by a strategic focus on capital investment and people development, enabling the family-owned business to effectively navigate the current challenges facing the hospitality sector.


Colin Blair, Chairman of Buzzworks Holdings, said: “We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the past year, especially given the challenging market conditions facing the hospitality sector."


“However, although these are uncertain times for the industry, this is something that we have managed to successfully navigate as a family business thanks to our resilience and strong foundations playing out in another strong financial year.”

Buzzworks, which has built its reputation locally and throughout the industry as a people-focused business that is proud to support the communities in which it operates, has invested significantly in its new and existing venues.


A total of £3m was spent across the portfolio, including the Ayrshire based company’s first venues in Inverclyde and East Lothian – Scotts Greenock at the new Ocean Terminal marina, and Lido Musselburgh, amid plans for another new Herringbone bar and restaurant to open in Barnton.


Additionally, the group invested in the refurbishment of several existing venues, such as Herringbone Goldenacre, The Mill House, and the addition of a new function suite at its popular South Queensferry venue, Thirty Knots.


Colin continued: "The opening of Scotts Greenock in 2023 and Lido Musselburgh in 2024 have been particular highlights, marking an exciting milestone for Buzzworks as we expand into new locations."


“At the same time, refurbishments across our portfolio demonstrate our ongoing dedication to maintaining the high standards our customers expect when visiting any Buzzworks venue."


Looking ahead, the directors remain cautiously optimistic about the group’s prospects. Plans are in place to reinvest future cash flow into the existing estate and pursue new venue openings as and when potential opportunities arise.


Additionally, Buzzworks continues to invest in its team through its acclaimed training programme, which develops future leaders and supports the company’s growth ambitions.


The business is proud to be ranked among the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For in the UK once again, underscoring its reputation as a top employer in the sector.


Buzzworks Holdings manages 21 prestigious venues across East, West & Central Scotland and over 800 staff.  


The award-winning company offers an aspirational dining and entertainment experience across Scotland through its other stylish brands – Scotts, Lido, House, Vic’s & The Vine, The Duke, Thirty Knots, The Bridge Inn, The Fox and Herringbone.


For more information on Buzzworks please visit www.buzzworksholdings.com

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