For qualifying employees in catering group Campbell Bewley the perk of the subsidised cup of coffee and sticky bun will shortly be accompanied by a more remunerative incentive, free shares in the company. Privately-owned Campbell Bewley this week announced a "no strings attached equity" gift to around 1,500 employees with a minimum of two years service who will be able to claim free shares worth around £1,200 in the autumn. The 60,000 shares, worth around £2 million, represent about 5 per cent of the Campbell Bewley issued share capital, the give-away reducing the shareholding of the Campbell family to 62 per cent. If the offer is fully taken up employees will own 20 per cent of the group in share and share options. While the equity will be held in trust by a nominee company dividend payments will be made and employees can, if they wish, sell shares to other employees.

Chairman Patrick Campbell said the share handout was in recognition of the contribution of employees to the success of the group in recent years.