Wetherspoons hit by driver shortage
PUB chain JD Wetherspoon has apologised to customers after its beer supplies became the latest casualty of the UK’s supply chain crunch.
The hospitality giant confirmed that it has seen supplies of Carling and Coors beer hit by the disruption, with some pubs not receiving deliveries.
Molson Coors, the brewer for both brands, said it has been “hit by the HGV driver shortage”.
Lorry driver and factory staff shortages attributed to Brexit employment rules and the pandemic have impacted supplies at rival firms including McDonald’s, Nando’s and KFC in recent weeks.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We are experiencing some supply problems with both Carling and Coors, which means that some pubs do not have the products available.
“We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused. We know that the brewers are trying to resolve the issue.”
In a later statement, Mr Gershon added that stocks of Carling and Coors had also been depleted when customers bought more after industrial action impacted deliveries from Heineken, which is the pub group’s biggest supplier. “Heineken supply six of the 23 draught lines we normally offer,” he said.
“As a result of a shortage of deliveries of Heineken, some other products ran out in some locations – for example Carling and Coors lagers.
“We understand that the industrial action we refer to has now been called off which, we hope, means that the supply issues will be resolved in early course.
“As of today, the majority of pubs, we believe, are now fully stocked, but some pubs may be short of a few brands, pending deliveries in the next few days.”
A spokesman for Molson Coors Beverage Company said: “Like many in our great British brewing and pub sector we have been hit by the HGV driver shortage.
“We’re working around the clock with our customers and third-party logistics partners to ensure we minimise any impact to our customers.
“After such a difficult period for our industry, it’s heartbreaking to be letting any customer down and we will continue to do everything in our power to get our much-loved brands back on every Wetherspoons bar.”
It came as distribution firms sought to increase wages or offer incentives to new drivers amid a significant shortage across the food and drink supply chain.
Bosses at the Road Haulage Association warned last week that there is a shortfall of around 100,000 drivers.
It said this has been driven by thousands of European drivers leaving during the pandemic and not returning, and called on the government to add drivers to the Shortage Occupation List.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin has been a passionate supporter of Brexit and earlier this year denied reports that his pubs were impacted by Brexitrelated staff shortages.
PEOPLE WITH LGV QUALIFICATION WANTED
THE company that runs a district’s waste collections is looking for drivers to keep the services running.
FCC Environment said it is seeking to recruit people with Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) 1 and 2 licences in Harborough and elsewhere.
The company said: “The campaign is in response to the severe national shortage of qualified LGV 1 and 2 drivers – a critical issue now causing widespread disruption across a range of sectors, brought on by a combination of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors, exacerbated by both changes to immigration regimes and a backlog of training and testing drivers.”
Sara Atkinson, senior HR business partner, said: “As well as key worker status, working for a great company and some fantastic opportunities, qualified LGV 1 and 2 drivers joining us will benefit from a generous work and benefits package.”
She said benefits include a “competitive salary”, 28 days holiday, part-time and flexible working, health support and “working outdoors supporting better health”.
Staff will also be “helping the planet by supporting your area recycle more waste”.
The FCC Environment spokesman said: “According to government figures, the driver shortage is reported to have increased over the last five years from 45,000 drivers in 2016 to 76,000 today.
“A recent Road Haulage Association survey put the estimated shortfall at more than 100,000, with the warning that it will take 18 months to train enough drivers to address the problem, even if there are enough candidates to take the roles.
“The campaign to attract more qualified LGV 1 and 2 drivers is FCC Environment’s latest step towards tackling the issue.
“At the end of July, FCC Environment joined others in the sector in urging the government to do more to protect vital waste and recycling services critical to public health and the environment, as well as the economy.
“In a letter to the Home Secretary, FCC Environment called for the introduction of a temporary worker visa for LGV 1 and 2 drivers, and for the occupation to be added to the official Shortage Occupation List, until such time there are enough qualified UK nationals available to fill these positions.”
Operations director Steve Longdon said: “All our staff have worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain our services and ensure household waste continued to be collected but, as we return to normality, the sector is facing new challenges.
“LGV 1 and 2 drivers are essential for the waste and recycling sector, and we are committed to doing everything we can to fill our driver vacancies to continue to play our part in protecting public health and the environment, as well as the UK’s green economic recovery.”
For details of vacancies, go to: