This November marks 25 years of the real Living Wage movement, and we're proud to have been part of it since we first opened Grow in Hackney Wick in 2014.
The movement began in East London, with local workers campaigning for wages that reflected the actual cost of living. Over the past 25 years, it's helped change attitudes towards fair pay and encouraged businesses across the UK to make the same commitment.
For us, it's been part of how we've operated from day one.
Why we committed to the London Living Wage
Grow started as a self-organised experiment in running an ethical and sustainable business. We wanted to create a space for music, arts and the local community, while showing that a business could operate with a different set of priorities.
Paying people fairly was an important part of that.
London is an expensive city to live in, and hospitality and events are demanding industries to work in. The late nights, long shifts and weekend work are familiar to anyone who's spent time working in a bar or music venue, yet low pay remains widespread.
The real Living Wage is independently calculated based on the actual cost of living, rather than the Government's statutory minimum wage. There's also a higher rate for London, recognising the additional costs of living here.
We felt it was important to make that commitment when we opened, and we've stuck with it ever since.
Looking after the people who make Grow what it is
Over the years, paying the London Living Wage has helped us build a more experienced team and hold on to good people.
That makes a real difference in a small venue like ours. Having staff who've been with us for years, who know our regulars, understand the space and have built relationships with the musicians, DJ's and promoters we work with, is a big part of what makes Grow feel like Grow.
It's also made a difference to how we operate. Staff retention means less time spent recruiting and training new people, and more experience within the team.
We employ a relatively young workforce too, with many people joining us early in their working lives. We hope that experiencing fair pay and good employment practices at Grow helps shape what they expect from future employers.
And as people move on to manage teams, start businesses or develop their careers elsewhere, hopefully they'll take some of those principles with them.
It's not always easy, but it's been worth it
Running a small independent venue in London isn't getting any easier.
Hospitality and grassroots music venues have faced enormous financial pressures in recent years. Rising operating costs and tight margins mean there are some difficult decisions to make, particularly for businesses like ours that don't have the financial backing of larger hospitality groups.
Committing to the London Living Wage is a significant cost, and it's something we have to work hard to maintain.
But we've also seen what having a more experienced, committed team brings to the business. People who enjoy working here tend to stay longer, get to know our customers and take pride in what they do.
We run a venue where people come to enjoy themselves, whether that's for a gig, a night out, a meal or a drink by the canal. The people working here are central to that experience.
Looking after them properly is an important part of running the business.
25 years of the Living Wage movement
From 9–15 November, we're joining employers across the UK to celebrate Living Wage Week and 25 years of the movement. It's particularly meaningful for us knowing that the campaign started in East London, not far from where Grow was founded.
Over the past 12 years, Grow has grown and changed a lot. We're part of a wider organisation, Grow Studios, who also pay London Living Wage working across music, hospitality, arts, workspace and community. But the reasons we started haven't changed.
We're proud to have maintained our commitment to the London Living Wage throughout that time, and we'd encourage other independent businesses, particularly those in hospitality and nightlife, to consider doing the same.
It's not always the easiest decision financially, but for us, it's been an important part of building a business that people want to work for and be part of.
Find out more about the real Living Wage and how to become an accredited employer at livingwage.org.uk.