As the schools went back and parents breathed a collective sigh of relief, PR campaigns won headlines everywhere this week. Comedy TV Channel Gold recreated an iconic pub, Harrods axed iconic green and gold bags to save the planet, and Brazen client wilko extended its hugely successful #reclaimthemask recycling scheme. It was a difficult week for celebrity chef Tom Kerridge who was accused of overcharging for steak at his pub.
HAILS
Gold celebrates 40 years of Only Fools and Horses by recreating the Nag’s Head
Comedy TV channel Gold recreated the Nags Head pub in all its 80s glory to celebrate show’s 40th anniversary. The pop up pub will be open to the public with 1980s prices and pints costing just 83p each.
Creators have included the iconic striped wallpaper and chequered floor of the pub as well as the framed pictures, stuffed rabbit, horse bronzes and trinkets which adorned Del and Rodney’s local.
The famous Knightsbridge store has been giving out the iconic bags for 50 years but is replacing them with paper versions in a bid to reduce waste.
They’ll save four million plastic bags from going to landfill each year with the move.
The new bags are expected to be in use by the end of this month.
The decision comes as the luxury brand looks to reduce plastic use across the business, with plastic packaging also in the firing line and home deliveries becoming plastic free.
Bags of media interest in this story this week.
Wilko’s innovative PPE recycling scheme extended after early successes
The major high street name launched the scheme in April and has seen thousands of facemasks recycled at 150 stores across the country since.
The #ReclaimTheMask scheme encourages customers to recycle their single-use masks in dedicated collection boxes. The scheme is now being extended until September at participating wilko stores.
Once full, these bins are taken away by recycling specialists ReWorked, who together with Metrisk Ltd, Scan2Recycle break them down into raw fibres which can be sustainably refashioned into products ranging from other safety materials for businesses, to building materials and even quality, durable public space furniture.
They estimate that the scheme could save a whopping 400,000 masks from ending up at rubbish dumps by the time it ends. Bravo – and loads of coverage to boot!
FAILS
Tom Kerridge under fire for £87 steak
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has been criticised for his pub’s £87 sirloin steak.
The TV chef has left diners sizzling over a huge mark-up.
The issue, with some commentators taking to social media to vent their outrage, started over prices charged at one of Kerridge’s pubs, The Hand and Flowers.
At this pub he charges £87 for a sirloin steak with vegetables like a side of cabbage costing £7.50 extra. The lamb main is £69 and a spiced venison loin is £60.
Kerridge responded to the by saying: “Those prices include everything, VAT and service. No additional service charge at all. Also I pay staff properly and treat their job as a professional career. Perhaps the real cost of dining should be addressed. Unpretentious does not mean cheap.”
His words didn’t stop the nationwide coverage of the story this week, however.