Bring back the noise, pleads Scottish pubs body as takings drop under ban

A b o dy r e p r e s e n t i n g p u b s across Scotland is calling for the ban on T V background music to be lifted.

Guidance came into effect on 14 August forcing hospitality premises to mute television sound to reduce the need for people to shout or lean into each other during the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Scottish Beer & Pub A s s o c i a t i o n (S B PA) c l a i ms the ban is having a devastating effect, with a 20 per cent drop in income, increasing the likelihood of closures and job losses.

SBPA chief executive Emma

Mcclarkin said: “The ban on music and sound from TV in pubs has seen trade plummet across Scotland, to the point where it is simply not viable to stay open.

“Takings are down as much as 20 per cent since the ban came in.

“Not only is it hammering the recovery of our sector, but there is evidence to suggest the policy is having the opposite of its desired effect.

“A lack of commentar y at f o o t b a l l m a t c h e s m a k e s i t harder to control customers watching the game.

“C u s t o m e r s s e e k i n g p r i - vacy in their conversations are more likely to lean in and whisper.

“R a t h e r t h a n g o t o t h e i r local, people are gathering at home where safety measures are not in place.

“T h e r e i s a n e a s y mi d d l e ground to be had here, where r e s p o n s i b l e p u b s c a n b e allowed to create an atmosp h e r e a n d a m b i e n c e t h a t makes them what they are ... without music, our venues are losing more of their soul.”

A S c o t t i s h G o v e r n m e n t sp okesman said: “We don’t want the restrictions in place for any longer than is needed, but in order to continue to suppress Covid-19 the clinical advice remains that pubs and bars should have no background music or volume from TVS.”