God save the extra bank holiday – it is a major boost for the pub trade
CAMRA has joined business leaders and organisations from around the UK, including the trade bodies the CBI and UK Hospitality, brands Siemens and Iceland, and business leaders Deborah Meaden and Dame Carolyn McCall in calling for this year’s additional bank holiday (for the jubilee) to be made permanent from 2023.
This would bring the total number of bank holidays in England and Wales to nine, still considerably lower than many of our European counterparts including Germany and France who have 11.
Research by PwC commissioned for the campaign found that the Government’s existing figures overestimated the potential cost of a new bank holiday by 64% and failed to account for the positive social and health benefits associated with bank holidays.
The research also highlights sectors particularly badly impacted by the pandemic retail, hospitality and tourism - who would benefit greatly from additional economic activity.
CAMRA’s National Chair Nik Antona said: “CAMRA welcomes the calls to introduce a new bank holiday as a ‘thank you’ to the nation. Bank holidays provide a brilliant opportunity for communities to come together down at their local pub, boosting morale as well as footfall for businesses that have been hard hit in recent years.
“After years of the pandemic and various restrictions, I think that is something we can all say cheers to!”
Deborah Meaden of BBC TV’s Dragons Den said: “The Great British Bank holiday is enjoyed by one and all across society. We all have fond memories of trips away, gatherings with friends, or just enjoying some relaxing time with loved ones.
“But it’s also a major boon for many businesses – especially those sectors that have struggled during the pandemic.”
The Willow Grove on Lord Street, Southport, is holding a Dark Beer Festival from May 23-30 to celebrate May, the month which CAMRA has dedicated to toasting mild and other dark beers.
The beers on offer will include: Titanic Cappuccino Stout, Bank Top Port O’ Call, Phoenix Monkeytown Mild, Coach House Gunpowder Strong Mild, Theakston’s Old Peculier and Moorhouses Black Cat.
This list is not exhaustive, and CAMRA members will be able to use their vouchers to obtain a discount on the price of a pint.
The national CAMRA website is at: camra.org.uk. The Southport & West Lancs Branch website is at southport. camra.org.uk