A BREWPRINT FOR FUTURE?

LOCKDOWN HAS LEFT THE PUB BUSINESS ON ITS KNEES, NOW INDUSTRY LEADERS NEED A RESCUE PLAN, WRITES DAISY JACKSON

BEER sales have plummeted to their lowest level in two decades, with the closure of pubs and bars putting the industry on a ‘cliff-edge.’

Industry leaders are calling on the government to provide clarity on when pubs will be able to begin trading again, saying they need more notice to scale up operations.

Figures released by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) show that overall sales of beer are down 7.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, at 1.5 billion pints.

It’s the lowest level on record, caused by the closure of bars and pubs, which were down 16.4pc to a record low of 668 million pints.

Pubs have been closed since Friday March 20, just before the UK went into lockdown, though Downing Street urged people to stay away from them several days before that.

The shocking figures come as industry experts urge the government to confirm its roadmap for reopening hospitality, and to allow Britain to ‘get brewing again.’

Pubs, bars and restaurants are among the businesses currently expected to be able to begin trading again from July 4 in England, but the BBPA says that clearer notice is needed.

The association has said that pubs and breweries will need at least three weeks’ notice to be able to open in early July - meaning that definitive confirmation is needed now.

The three weeks’ notice will allow breweries to scale up their production enough to supply pubs ready for reopening.

Without a firm date, pubs may face opening without fresh draught beer.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “These stark figures reveal how the lockdown is having a devastating impact on

our world class breweries and pubs.

“The cliff-edge impact on our sector, when people were told to stop going to the pub and then when they were shut down, is clear to see.

“Overall beer sales for the first quarter of this year are at their lowest since our records began. Pubs saw a 16.4% drop in beer sales alone for the quarter - driven solely by the sudden closure of pubs and impact of two weeks of zero sales. “We are urging The Government to get Britain brewing again now and re-open our pubs from July 4.

“To do this, our sector needs at least three weeks notice so that our breweries can brew fresh beer and our pubs can get ready to reopen safely.

“That means the Government must confirm by 13th June that pubs can definitely re-open on July 4th as indicated in their roadmap for unlocking the economy.

“Our pubs and breweries are desperately in need of this clarity.

“Beer sales were at a record low in the first quarter of this year, so it’s imperative we get brewing our beer again and re-open pubs as soon as possible.

“This will help save pubs from permanent closure, allowing them to start to get back on their feet and protect the vital local jobs pubs and breweries support across the UK.”

The cliff-edge impact on our sector is clear to see

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association