Pubs still ‘at risk’ despite lockdown easing
Nearly 20,000 pubs are at risk of closure despite the industry starting to open its doors for the first time in nearly three months
British Beer and Pub Association's (BBPA) chief executive Emma McClarkin said pubs could be making financial losses "for some time" and up to 18,000 are at risk of closure by the end of the year.
Ms McClarkin said the industry will need further financial support from the Government to survive.
She said: "We are really excited to be having the chance to reopen but please don't think that the sector is therefore trading at normal levels and will be able to sustain itself.
"It won't be making a profit for some time.”
She added: "We are hoping that 80% of pubs will reopen, but if 10% of them are profitable, that will be a surprise to us.
“Because the majority are expecting to loss-make or break-even."
Ms McClarkin said that it could take the hospitality industry "more than a year" to rebuild consumer confidence and return to pre coronavirus trading levels, with pub owners expecting "much lower" footfall initially.
Due to social distancing measures – which have been reduced to one metre-plus – some smaller premises could be limited to having just eight customers inside, she added.
She added: "This weekend is only the first step in a long road to recovery but we could still lose over 40% of pubs by the end of the year if we don't get reasonable trade.
Ms McClarkin said the 40% figure equates to about 18,000 venues.