Beer sales predicted to fall 90%
LEADERS of the UK’s hospitality sector are pushing for fresh support for pub businesses after new figures showed that beer sales are set to be 90% lower than normal this December.
The British Beer & Pub Association, which represents pubs and brewers, says December pub sales are likely to be lower by 270m pints because of the various levels of lockdowns in different parts of the country. The North East is currently under the toughest Tier 3 restrictions, meaning pubs and restaurants can only operate a takeaway or delivery service.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated last week that the region is unlikely to see the restrictions relaxed, with levels of infection still causing concern for health bosses despite a fall in the number of people with the illness.
The British Beer & Pub Association is calling on the Government to review the tier restrictions pubs face or to provide them with the full and proper grant support they need to survive the winter and ensure they remain to re-open properly in 2021.
The demand echoes The Chronicle and Journal’s Save Our Scene campaign, which is calling for the North East’s key hospitality businesses to be protected through the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that the region’s famed nightlife sector is able to bounce back next year.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “These stark numbers show that this Christmas could be the last for many of our pubs.
“With trade up to 90% lower than usual, many pubs simply won’t survive without Government either easing the restrictions or providing more support for pubs and brewers.
The one-off payment for pubs of £1,000 doesn’t come anywhere close to compensating for up to 270m lost pint sales or almost £1bn hit to their turnover.
“Currently, in England there is no compensation available for our hard-hit breweries, unlike in Wales and Scotland, where it has at least been recognised that they too are suffering as a result of these tighter restrictions being placed on the whole hospitality sector.
“The saddest thing of all is that our pubs should be properly open this Christmas.
“Christmas isn’t the same without a pint at the local with friends and family. These 270m lost pints reflect 270m lost opportunities for friends, families and communities to be together enjoying their local pub this Christmas. A key part of the Christmas spirit is going to be lost this year with so many pubs closed.”
London is being moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, which will see almost 14,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes being restricted to takeaway or delivery services.
When the move was rumoured to be happening it sparked calls from London’s night-time economy advisor Amy Lame for “targeted financial support from the Government.”