This year we are shining a spotlight on the local families, workplaces and businesses in Great Britain, that help make, distribute and serve Coca‑Cola every day. 

Counter Cultures celebrates the local footprint of the Coca‑Cola system, including generations of families who have worked within it to produce our products, and the family-run pubs, cafés and takeaways at the heart of their communities – the hospitality businesses where Coca‑Cola is served every day.

These are places where people come together to catch up with friends, celebrate milestones and enjoy everyday moments, often with generations of the same family behind the counter.

Coca‑Cola has deep roots in communities across Great Britain, from our five manufacturing sites to the thousands of independent businesses we work with every day. Across the wider Coca‑Cola system, including our bottling partner Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), we employ thousands of people in Great Britain, helping to support local jobs, skills and supply chains across the country.

One such employee is 17 year old CCEP Utilities & Facilities Apprentice, Lewis Baker.  Lewis, who is one of the 65 early careers apprentices, among 102 overall at Coca‑Cola's bottling partner, followed in his father Mark’s footsteps, by joining CCEP at its Wakefield site.

Lewis Baker, 17, who works alongside his dad at Coca‑Cola’s Wakefield site, said: “I grew up knowing my dad worked at the Coca‑Cola Wakefield factory, so joining the team myself felt like I was really following in my family’s footsteps. Coca‑Cola is obviously a brand everyone knows, but for me it’s always felt close to home because of my dad and the people who work here. He’s been there for 25 years, and working alongside him has taught me so much – not just about the job, but about the pride people take in making something that’s part of everyday life for families and businesses.

There’s a real sense of community on site, you see familiar faces and people look out for each other – it feels like a place where generations of families can build something together. It means a lot knowing you’re part of something your family’s been connected to for so long.”

We brought Coca‑Cola’s local footprint to life through a new short film that connects Coca‑Cola’s Wakefield manufacturing site with local family-run businesses in nearby communities, following the journey from production to the counters where Coca‑Cola is served every day. It follows Lewis and Mark Baker as they meet three local family-run businesses:

• Ocean Fish Bar, run by Pindy and Bill Singh
• The Old Red Lion, owned by David and Lindsey Sargant
• Bennett’s Bites run by Chantell and James Bennett

Together, their stories speak to the generations of families who have helped make, distribute and serve Coca‑Cola, while supporting their local communities, and creating everyday moments of connection.

As part of Counter Cultures, each participating business will nominate a local cause to receive a five-figure donation, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and the communities they serve.

Coca‑Cola Great Britain produces 97% of the drinks it sells domestically and supports thousands of jobs across its supply chain, underlining its long-standing investment in local communities.

Meet the families behind Counter Cultures and see how they continue to bring their communities together: