Searcys wraps up an extraordinary year by exceeding its £175k charity pledge target in its 175th year, announcing new business wins, scooping a plethora of awards and reporting a strong financial performance, with sales up in excess of 9% in the past eight months compared to pre-Covid 2019 benchmark.
The company attributes its success due to the pent-up demand for events, brand visibility from its celebration campaigns and the sheer hard work of its team, united in restarting the business post-pandemic.
Since restrictions lifted in early 2022, Searcys hosted over 15,600 events, welcomed over 50,000 event attendees, served 100,000 cups of tea and poured 175,000 glasses of Champagne. This in turn has seen Searcys grow to over 1,100 employees, along with the appointments of the new Commercial Director, Head of Recruitment, Head of Champagne and an additional Operations Director.
As well as growing its team, the company expanded its portfolio with three new venue partnerships with Stationers’ Hall, Church House Westminster and social enterprise restaurant, Brigade.
The company’s 175th birthday was also marked by the launch of London’s first Champagne Rolls Royce Bar on wheels – currently in residence at Battersea Power Station. October saw the return of Europe’s longest Champagne Bar, St Pancras Champagne Bar, which reopened with a brand-new look following an extensive refurbishment.
The group also expanded its drinks offering with the arrival of its own Searcys English Sparkling Wine and a limited-edition Blanc de Blancs Champagne with further products in development for 2023.
Searcys’ incredible work has been recognised with a record number of awards this year - 11 for its event venues alone, including ‘Event Caterer of the Year’ at the Foodservice Cateys. The company also scooped ‘Best Events Venue’ for Searcys at the Gherkin and ‘Best Historic Venue’ for 116 Pall Mall at The London Venue Awards, while Searcys at the Barbican, Gherkin and The Pump Room in Bath received top TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2022.
Throughout the year to reach its £175k anniversary charity pledge, the Searcys team partook in a variety of grassroots fundraising activities, volunteering and implementing initiatives across the venues. This ranged from charity runs and bake sales to raising over £10,000 for #CookforUkraine across Searcys’ restaurants and bars.
In addition, Managing Director, Paul Jackson, led a gruelling 175 mile ‘Tour De Searcys’ bike ride, which raised over £18,000. With the final total of £175,000 achieved, donations have been shared across nominated charities, including Hotel School and Beyond Food foundation. Searcys 175th Birthday Ball for hospitality leaders raised £6,000 for its nominated causes.
Paul commented, “After the past few years of uncertainty, our restaurants, champagne bars and events venues are back in full swing. Despite starting the year with the industry under lockdown restrictions, we have collectively achieved so much over the past 12 months.
'This 175th milestone year has been one of growth and celebration of our heritage – a testament to the legacy of our founder John Searcy. I would like to thank every member of the team for their hard work and commitment to delivering the highest quality event and dining experiences – I am enormously proud of every one of them.”
“For 2023, our focus is on the ‘art of finesse,’ with exciting product development and campaigns in the pipeline. It’s a simple message, but we wouldn't be Searcys, if we hadn't got some special surprises up our sleeve, so watch this space!”