UK

Bartenders Guild launches fundraiser to honour founder’s legacy

By James Bayley

Published:  12 August, 2024

The UK Bartenders Guild has initiated a fundraising campaign to honour its founder as the organisation approaches its 90th anniversary.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, the guild aims to pay tribute to its first president, Harry Lawson Craddock, by renovating his grave at Gunnersbury Cemetery in London.

Craddock, alongside six peers, established the guild in 1934 in London. Today, it has grown to over two thousand members, making it one of the largest bartending and hospitality organisations in the UK.

• Read more: Riots cause major decline in sales as businesses temporarily close

The 90th anniversary will also feature an exclusive industry event, providing members with opportunities to network and share expertise across the sector.

On 29 August, Harry Lawson Craddock’s birth date, UKBG board members and others will gather at his grave to honour the guild’s founding president.

Guild president Claudia Carrozi highlighted the importance of remembering the guild’s roots while continuing to advance the UK’s hospitality scene. 

“He did something that was almost new to the industry back then; guilds and trade organisations were often for manual or skilled labour jobs, like masonry. Harry pushed for a national organisation that helped to grow the profile of the bartenders, made training easier and increased standards, and most importantly allowed us to come together to address the problems our industry faces as one,” Carrozi said.

“I think that he would be immensely proud of how the guild has grown, and the strength of the hospitality industry in the UK right now, and we see no better way to honour his memory than to show our respect by ensuring that his final resting place is a true testament to his dedication and commitment to success,” she added.

More information and donation details can be found here.