Shareholder perks & freebies: what you can get from BT, Shepherd Neame, Carnival and Next

Certain businesses offer a little extra to shareholders.

Certain obvious benefits come from investing in businesses

Hopefully, over time, the value of the stocks and shares that you’ve picked up go up, allowing you to sell later on at a profit.

What’s more, the payment of dividends can provide you with an income for as long as you hold the stock.

However, some businesses go even further and hand shareholders exclusive perks and treats.

Here is just a selection of the best.

Looking to invest but want to shield your returns from the taxman? Open a Stocks & Shares ISA with Hargreaves Lansdown now.

Bloomsbury Publishing - book discounts

This is an independent worldwide publisher with offices in London, New York, New Delhi and Sydney, and best known for publishing the Harry Potter books. Its broad range of books includes titles for children, adults and professionals.

Investors with at least one share in the company can receive a special discount of 35% off the RRP on the print-only books it publishes.

For further information, check out the Bloomsbury website.

Chapel Down - cheap booze

Chapel Down is the producer of a world-class range of sparkling and still wines, as well as the award-winning range of Curious beers & cider.

Investors with between one and 1,999 shares receive a 25% discount voucher that can be used for a one-off purchase, early access to new vintages, and free tastings in the Winery shop. 

A wider range of discounts is available for those holding at least 2,000 shares, including discounts from the Winery shop, a third off wines and an annual tour for two.

For more information, check out the Chapel Down website.

BT - cheap tech deals

The communications giant offers a range of special deals just for its certified shareholders. 

These cover everything from phones, smart TVs and baby monitors to Fitbits and smart Raybans.

You can see more on its special shareholder store.

Carnival - save on a cruise

You can get a little extra on your cruise if you are own at least 100 shares in Carnival.

Investors benefit from onboard credit that you can spend as you like. The exact level of credit you get will vary based on the length of your cruise and which of its brands you’ve booked with.

But to give you an example, book with its UK brand for a cruise of 14 days or longer and you’ll enjoy a £150 credit.

For more information, visit the Carnival page on Stockperks.

Irish Continental Group - cheap ferries

If you have more than 1,000 shares in ICG then you can help yourself to discounts on the firm’s ferries.

These include a 20% discount on services between Ireland and Britain, a 10% discount on trips between Ireland and France and a 5% discount on Irish Ferries inclusive package holidays.

You can get more details on the ICG website.

Legal & General - vouchers and discounts on insurance

Investing in Legal & General (L&G) means you qualify for discounts on a host of L&G financial products.

For example, you get 25% off Life Insurance premiums and 10% off over-50s life insurance, while taking out a lifetime mortgage will see you receive a £250 Love2shop voucher.

For more, check out the L&G website. 

Mulberry - save 20% on purchases

Mulberry shareholders get a 20% discount on up to £5,000 of spending each year. The discount doesn’t apply to online purchases, or sale items though.

What’s more, you won’t get the discount if you own the shares through a SIPP.

For more information, visit the Mulberry website. 

Next - 25% off clothing

Another retail giant, Next, gives shareholders a 25% discount against most purchases at any one time on full-price Next merchandise in its retail stores.

There is no limit on the value of goods that can be purchased at that time and the voucher expires on 31 October of the year in which it was issued.

Find out more about the Next shareholder discount here. You must hold 100 shares or more to qualify.

Safestore - 25% off storage

Backing the storage business Safestore means you can save some big money on your own storage needs.

Shareholders can save 25% off their storage – and 20% off merchandise.

You can find out more on the Safestore website. You must own 100 shares to be eligible. 

Telecom Plus - cheaper energy bills

Telecom Plus trades under the name Utility Warehouse, and investors in the firm can save a few quid on their utility needs.

Shareholders get access to unique energy tariffs, which the firm argues are 10% cheaper than its standard tariffs, while each December, you’ll also get credit worth 10% of your total spend on non-energy services with the firm over that year.

However, to participate in the scheme, you must hold at least 1,500 ordinary shares in Telecom Plus.

Visit the website for more information.

Big Yellow - cheaper storage

Big Yellow shareholders get a 10% discount on self-storage and flexi-office rental, as well as the purchase of boxes, packing materials and insurance at both Big Yellow and Armadillo stores.

To claim it, you will need to show proof of your shareholding, while the name on the share certificate must match the name of the person taking the storage.

You can find more information on the company's website. 

Fuller’s - 15% off food & drink

If you invest in the pub chain Fuller’s, then you will be sent a personalised ‘Inndulgence Card’ in January each year.

That card entitles you to a 15% discount on food and drinks at any of Fuller’s managed pubs and hotels.

The eligibility criteria for a card is that individuals must hold at least 1,000 A or C ordinary shares, or 10,000 B ordinary shares.

Visit the website for more information.

Adnams - 10% discount

Another pub chain that offers investors an extra perk is Adnams. Its shareholders can register for its ‘Friends of Adnams' loyalty scheme.

This gives them a 10% discount on purchases in person or online, as well as on accommodation, meals for tables of up to six people, and tour bookings.

However, the discount can’t be used to purchase e-gift cards, buying drinks only at the managed pubs or for entry to its 10k race.

For more information, visit the Adnams website.

Brewdog - free beer on birthday & more

If you have backed the Brewdog brewery through its Equity for Punks scheme, you can enjoy a host of tasty extras.

These include discounts in shops, a free beer on your birthday, and even your own tree planted in the Brewdog forest (yes, really).

Bigger investors can unlock a host of additional extras, like limited edition crates of beer, water bottles and t-shirts.

The brewery has closed its schemes to investors for now, but existing investors can still enjoy those perks.

Shepherd Neame - food & drink discounts

Holders of a shareholder privilege card are eligible for discounts on food, drink and accommodation at certain pubs and hotels.

The full list of locations where the card can be used is on the website. 

You can also get discounted products, tickets and vouchers from the Visitor Centre shop.

Whitbread - free breakfasts & more

Shareholders with at least 64 shares are eligible to receive a benefits card which provides freebies and discounts.

For example, shareholders staying in a Premier Inn hotel in the UK – and their guests – can enjoy a free breakfast each morning of their stay.

They can also claim 10% off food and soft drinks for up to four people at any UK Whitbread restaurant, aside from certain times, such as Christmas Day.

More information is available on the website.

Looking to invest but want to shield your returns from the taxman? Open a Stocks & Shares ISA with Hargreaves Lansdown now.

The information included in this article does not constitute regulated financial advice. You should seek independent, professional financial advice before making any investment decision.