Who are Stonegate Pub Company?
Stonegate Pub Company is one of the largest pub and bar operators in the UK. It operates a wide range of venues, including traditional pubs, premium bars, and dining pubs. Stonegate's portfolio includes well-known brands like Slug & Lettuce, Yates, and the Hertford Arms, alongside other formats such as late-night venues and craft beer-focused outlets. The company focuses on creating welcoming and enjoyable environments for customers, offering food and drink services as well as social events. Stonegate Pub Company has a significant presence across the UK, managing hundreds of pubs and bars.
The Challenge
Stonegate Pub Company, employing around 270 staff across its head office, was facing challenges in meeting and recording service levels. Paul Farthing, the Infrastructure Manager, was seeking stability and consistency in its IT processes. He also wanted straightforward access to resources and reassurance that the processes in place were both correct and compliant with ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) standards.
The Objectives
Paul Farthing and IT Director Matthew Young played a pivotal role in the selection process. They were clear from the outset that they wanted a managed service, not just managed resources. "And that's exactly what we got – which is great news!" said Paul.
The Solution
Intercity offers a comprehensive range of managed services designed to seamlessly integrate expert skills and knowledge into the core of a business, while ensuring that the entire IT infrastructure is connected smoothly. This allows every user to have secure access to everything they need for their day-to-day roles.
Our dedicated solutions team worked closely with Stonegate to develop a management system that fully met their RFP requirements. The solution included server management, complete control of Windows updates, anti-virus checks, and software licensing. Additionally, a managed desktop system was implemented, enabling users to access their files and applications from anywhere they chose to work. The contract also included upgrades to onsite tills and PCs, ensuring their tech remained up-to-date and secure.
The Business Benefits
Stonegate Pub Company has signed a three-year managed services contract with Intercity. From a day-to-day perspective, infrastructure manager Paul Farthing notes that the company has experienced significant benefits, including improved service and the resolution of long-standing issues that had previously caused challenges.
Paul also highlighted the enhanced level of security now in place, with a more effective change control process thanks to Intercity’s Change Management Programme. This formal process ensures that any changes to products or systems are introduced in a controlled and coordinated manner. Additionally, he mentioned that working with other suppliers has become much more streamlined, thanks to the third-party vendor liaison service provided by Intercity.
"We've seen real benefits, especially in terms of good technical advice and guidance within the environment we are running. Intercity has standardised our operating framework and brought in a better level of security. Our key challenges were being able to adhere to the correct procedures and ensuring everything was implemented in the right way - and fully. There was also historical issues buried within the estate that had to be resolved. We needed expertise and the very best process management possible, and that's where Intercity won through."
Matthew Young, IT Director
Intercity is the ideal technology partner to enable organisations like yours to flourish securely in the new age of working from anywhere. We enable businesses and people to be productive anywhere, anytime, regardless of device, communications or technology. Connecting and securing from device to the cloud. To learn how you can Do More with Intercity, please speak to us here or use the live chat. To learn more about Stonegate Pub Company, and some of the fantastic work they’re doing, please click here.
