Pub company Stonegate Group, which owns Admiral Duncan, Two Brewers and many other LGBTQ+ venues, has revealed their plan to feature two of The Drinks Bureau’s premium RTD cocktails – Dirty Shirley and non-alcoholic Shirley Temple – as limited-edition Pride cocktails across over 1,100 bars, pubs and clubs nationwide in honour of Pride Month.
The Drinks Bureau will donate 10p of every can sold to Stonewall Housing, the national charity aiding LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness or living in an unsafe environment. In May, Stonewall Housing launched a housing scheme aimed at supporting vulnerable LGBTQ+ people in Brighton & Hove.
The Shirley Temple is a seriously tasty non-alcoholic cocktail, boasting delicious flavours of moreish juicy cherry, zingy ginger, lemon, and bitters. The Dirty Shirley is Shirley Temple’s naughty alter ego – refreshing and a little tart – combining vodka, moreish juicy cherry and a zippy ginger and lemon zing.
“We are very excited to be a part of Pride this year with The Shirley’s”, says Frankie Snobel, founder of The Drinks Bureau. “Bringing cocktail joy nationwide and donating to an amazing cause. My family has experienced homelessness first hand, so I know how lifechanging charity support can be and how easily people can unexpectedly be in need.”
Founded in 1983, Stonewall Housing provides specialist housing advice, advocacy, and support for LGBTQ+ people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with specialisms in mental health, domestic abuse, substance abuse and supported accommodation.
The charity works with more than 3,200 people every year, and the demand for their services is only increasing. Last year saw the highest number of referrals in one single quarter in their 40-years of operating. Since inception Stonewall Housing has helped over 40,000 marginalised and vulnerable LGBTQ+ people.
Stonewall Housing CEO, Steven McIntyre, comments: “I am just delighted that The Drinks Bureau and Stonegate Group are partnering with us to help to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ homelessness and of course much needed funds for the charity.
“Every single day we see more and more LGBTQ+ people finding themselves homeless and it is not an exaggeration to say we simply couldn’t do our work without our incredible supporters. On behalf of the 3,300 LGBTQ+ people we worked with last year, thank you.”
Melissa Wisdom, Chief Commercial Officer at Stonegate Group, added: “Here at Stonegate Group, our mission is all about bringing people together. And what better way to do that than by raising a glass to celebrate Pride?
“We’re beyond excited to team up with The Drinks Bureau to introduce the Dirty Shirley and Shirley Temple cocktails across our pubs, bars and venues as part of our Serving with Pride campaign. These drinks not only taste delicious but also serve a noble cause.
“With every sip, we’re not just celebrating diversity and inclusion; we’re also making a tangible difference in supporting Stonewall Housing’s crucial work for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s our way of bringing both our teams and guests together to celebrate Pride while championing a cause close to our hearts.”
The Shirley’s will be listed at select wholesalers, including LWC, Matthew Clark, DrinksOne and Hammonds of Knutsford.
Ten pence from every can of Shirley Temple and Dirty Shirley sold between late-May through to the end of August, across on-trade and off-trade will be donated by The Drinks Bureau to Stonewall Housing.
