Pubs in the United Kingdom are on life support due to government shutdown orders with no clear end in sight….

Responding to a recent governmental lockdown update Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive, Emma McClarkin, said her sector “remains in limbo and facing severe uncertainty and financial devastation.”

Calling for more financial support to keep UK pubs afloat, McClarkin paints an almost apocalyptic picture of what the pub industry could look like as the lockdown continues…

[box type=”shadow” ]“The government hasn’t outlined any specific additional financial support for pubs to assure and help them through the extended lockdown hardship they face. We understand that pubs should only open when safe to do so, but extending the lockdown without offering additional support will be devastating.”

“Our own research shows that 40% of Britain’s pubs won’t survive beyond September with the current level of financial support on offer from the government. That’s almost 19,000 pubs that won’t re-open.”

“The government must understand that the current financial support they are providing, although welcome, does not go anywhere near enough to cover pub’s costs through an extended lockdown. This is before we even consider an eventual re-opening, inevitably with vastly reduced revenue due to stringent social distancing restrictions in place.”

“Without this specific additional financial support, the social hubs and heart of communities in many towns, villages, and cities across the UK will be lost forever, resulting in immeasurable damage to the wellbeing of our nation.”

“Our clear and urgent ask to the government is that they recognize the real jeopardy facing the great British pub and put in place targeted measures now to save it, or risk losing local pubs forever.”[/box]

 

Nik Antona, National for the Chairman at the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) also urged the government to extend and upgrade the support package that is already in place, to include brewers and others…

 

[box type=”shadow” ]“The package needs to be extended to brewers, cider producers, and others in the hospitality supply chain. “

“Local authorities need to be encouraged to ensure the flow of grants is quick and easy for businesses to access. Landlords and pub companies need to cancel rent during the period turnover remain at a fraction of usual.”

“The government must recognize that even when allowed to re-open hospitality businesses will be operating at hugely reduced trade. The support package needs to be extended beyond re-opening and transition funding should be made available to help pubs, bars and producers start up again. There needs to be an immediate relaxation of licensing laws to allow all businesses to seek revenue from off-sales for delivery and/or safe collection by customers.”

“We’re very concerned that while cafés and restaurants with outdoor space will be allowed to re-open, pubs and bars, which could enforce the same social distancing measures, will not. The government needs to clearly explain the science and reasoning behind this, and ensure these businesses get additional support if prevented from reopening.”[/box]

 

And if that wasn’t bad news enough…

MANY UK PUBS ARE WITHIN DAYS OF GOING UNDER

50 MILLION PINTS OF BEER WASTED IN UK PUBS IF PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN CONTINUES

Tough times….

H/T the always excellent Beer Today for its lead on this.