GOOD NEWS
crafty
Dreaming of a refreshing pint
post lockdown? Salt Steel
Brewing Co has the remedy
Getting
WORDS JULIE BURNISTON, PICS DOUG MOODY.
Hard work and determination has
paid off for Acklam-based craft
beer aficionado Liam Senior. His Salt
Steel Brewing Co is ready to launch its
first offering, Strip Tees – a full flavoured
bitter blast of citrus, grapefruit and pine
with floral hop aromas due for release in
August.
“Craft beer drinking is a passion,”
explains Liam. “It’s a community-led world
which is all about recipes and aromas.
Forget cheap macro lager.”
Born in Northwich, Cheshire, famous for
its salt mines, Liam’s late grandfather Syd
Senior worked for ICI and often made the
journey from the North-West to Teesside,
a journey Liam later made himself, finally
settling in the Boro.
“I’m an honorary Smoggy now,”
he laughs. “There’s a resilience and a
community feel about Teesside which is
just so special.”
Creating a brewery which honoured
both his home
and his adopted
towns has been
a labour of love,
and what could
have remained a
home brew project
quickly took flight.
“‘I went down the rabbit hole and things
grew and grew. I learned from home
brewing and going to brew days and then
in a mad moment last year I decided right,
let’s do this!”
Darlington-based designers Ink Bear
created the eye-catching SSB logo, the
website and can design were created
locally and Middlesbrough’s Wander Films
have been brought on board to produce a
launch video.
“I want to create jobs for local people
down the line. I’d also love independent
pubs and other outlets to stock Strip
Tees. Given the effect that Covid-19 has
Cheers - Liam Senior has launched
craft beer Strip Tees through his
firm, Salt Steel Brewing Co.
had on the hospitality industry, we have
had to make some changes, but will first
be producing a run of cans to support
as many local pubs and bottle shops as
possible.”
Launching a new product at this time
may seem risky, but Liam is convinced
that Strip Tees will wow craft beer
connoisseurs.
“This is Teesside’s drink and I’m open
for people to get involved and collaborate.
My dream is for Strip Tees to be as
synonymous with Teesside as the parmo.”
Cheers to that!
Advance orders and more information
saltsteelbrewing.com
Back-to-work check-list for employers
Alison Leith, head of Tilly Bailey & Irvine’s employment
and commercial disputes team, with some important
Covid advice for businesses…
Covid-19 has forced employers to
consider remote working across
all industries and employers’
duties to those working from home has
become of increasing importance.
Employers should ensure that they
comply with their duties to avoid
employment claims.
Lockdown meant remote working
was implemented without the usual
planning. Employers should take the
opportunity to review the position and:
> discuss improving working from
home arrangements
> consider roles that can be done
from home
> support employees to adjust to
remote working
> consider individual employees'
needs, for example childcare
responsibilities, long-term health
conditions or disabilities
> document agreed arrangements.
Usual health and safety risk
assessments cannot be carried out at
home. However, an employer should
still check:
> employees feel the work they're
being asked to do at home can be
done safely
> the right equipment to work safely is
provided
> reasonable adjustments are made
for employees where appropriate.
Employees do have a responsibility to
take reasonable care of their own health
and safety.
Anyone working from home should
keep in regular contact with their
manager and highlight any health and
safety risks or any arrangements that
need to change.
Employees may feel pressure to
“prove” they are working as hard at
home as they would be in the office.
Working remotely may take longer due
to issues with technology or the lack of
immediate support.
Most people are currently experiencing
high levels of stress and anxiety.
Employers should consider ways of
supporting employees’ mental health.
It’s important to ensure that employees
take regular breaks to avoid sitting at a
computer for too long. Employers should
encourage staff to stay mentally and
physically active outside of their working
hours, such as cooking, exercise or
hobbies.
Consider also:
> checking IT systems
> setting clear expectations -
hours of work, management and
measurement of performance
> eegular communication
> pay and terms and conditions of
employment
> sensitivity and flexibility towards the
employee's situation
> childcare responsibilities
> expenses
> home insurance.
For advice relating to employment
issues such as furloughing staff,
redundancies or making the workplace
safe, contact partner Alison Leith, head
of the Employment and Commercial
Disputes Team on [email protected]
or 01740 646031.
36 | Tees Business