Ei Publican Partnerships has said it will give up to one million items of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), worth almost £300,000, to its estate of pubs ahead of the industry reopening.

The pub giant, which was acquired by Stonegate Pub Company in March for £1.27b, has confirmed that each pub will receive a free PPE starter kit, which will consist of disposable masks and gloves, hand sanitiser and rolls of black/yellow self-adhesive floor tape. Nick Light, Managing Director of Ei Publican Partnerships, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our publicans is most paramount. This additional £280,000 investment in PPE is just one of the many ways we are making sure our pubs can reopen from lockdown in a safe and sustainable manner while providing an enjoyable experience for customers.”

Earlier this month, Ei launched Round, a bespoke contactless ordering app across their pub estate to safeguard publicans and customers, The Caterer reported. In May, following urgent calls from its pub tenants, the company announced a “multimillion-pound financial support package” for its leased and tenanted businesses that included a three-month rent credit for the period April to June.

Stonegate Pub Company is the largest pub company in the UK with a portfolio comprising 1,270 sites within the managed division and 3,200 leased and tenanted businesses.