Covid-19 / 15 March 2021
SBPA reveals devastation to pubs and brewers one year on from first COVID-19 lockdown, reiterates Government must ensure pubs can operate without restrictions as soon as possible One year on from the First Minister ordering the first COVID-19 lockdown, which forced pubs to close, the Scottish Beer & Pub Association has revealed the devastation the nations’ brewers and pubs have faced. The trade association has revealed that 200 pubs are estimated to have been lost forever, 210 million pints in beer sales lost due to a full year of either forced closure, or trading under severe restrictions, and £820 million in trade value wiped out from the sector in beer sales alone. Since the first lockdown in March 2020, pubs and other hospitality businesses have been amongst the hardest hit. They have also faced severe restrictions to their trade during other periods of being “open”, including level restrictions that ultimately forced many to stay shut or open but under conditions that made their trade unviable due to the closing times and other rules. Looking ahead to the First Minister’s expected announcement tomorrow, the SBPA has urged the Scottish Government to give the sector hope by aligning closely to the unlocking plans in England, which indicate that pubs will reopen outdoors from April 12th, followed by indoors from May 17th and with all restrictions lifted by June 21st. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: “Our sector has been devastated by COVID-19 and the lockdowns. It has been a year to forget for the Scotland’s pubs and bars. “It is estimated that 200 pubs have been lost forever. 210 million pints in beer sales have also been missed, wiping out £820 million in trade value from the sector. “Sadly, we still haven’t seen the full extent of the damage yet and won't do for some time until things really do go back to normal. And by normal, I mean a return to what life was like pre-covid. “Whilst we continue to assess the full damage to our sector, I urge the First Minister to give our businesses the hope that they desperately need by providing a viable route out of lockdown tomorrow. The previously levels were entirely unviable for the majority of hospitality businesses, and they are desperately hoping for a more straight-forward approach to unlocking this time. “We also hope the Scottish Government will look at providing more support for our wet-led community pubs who, although grateful for all the support they received, will not benefit from the VAT cut to food in the same way restaurants will. Local wet-led pubs have been amongst the worst affected by the virus so it's important the Government goes that little bit further for them. “It is becoming all the clearer that the Government must ensure all our pubs are fully re-opened as early as safely possible. This is when their recovery will really start and until then we stand to lose more pubs and community assets.”
Read more30 July 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has said that over 200 pubs in Scotland could reopen for the first time on 9th August, if restrictions are lifted enabling pubs to trade viably again. According to the SBPA though, an estimated 285 pubs in Scotland have sadly closed their doors for good since the start of the pandemic and will not reopen.The Scottish Government is expected to confirm a removal of restrictions from 9 August and announce baseline measures next week.The SBPA has held recent meetings with the Scottish Government and Ministers to highlight key restrictions that need to be removed in pubs to make trade viable, whilst keeping customers safe. Key for the nation’s pubs is the removal of table-only service and an end to the midnight curfew, which the SBPA says must be removed if Scottish pubs are to trade viably once more. According to the industry, if these restrictions on pubs are removed, they can work with the Scottish Government on other baseline measures so long as they are workable and maintain business viability.Commenting, SBPA CEO Emma McClarkin said: “It is vital for our hospitality industry and pubs that key restrictions are removed. Scotland is estimated to have lost 285 pubs since the start of the pandemic, but a further 200 plus pubs could reopen on the 9th of August if enough restrictions are removed. “We have been pushing the government strongly on this, particularly the need to end the curfew on trading hours which has meant late-night premises are unable to open, and the end of table-only service – which has been devastating to many of our smaller establishments. “Removing these restrictions is key to our pubs’ viability. If these restrictions are removed, we can work with the Scottish Government on other baseline restrictions so long as they are workable and enable business viability. “If heavy restrictions remain in place beyond the baseline that make pubs unviable, then pubs could be at risk of closing for good. “It is crucial the Scottish Government get this right and align us closely as possible to the other nations of the UK to ensure our recovery is not outpaced and we lose out on investment. We stand ready to work with the Scottish Government to get this right. “The pandemic has been devastating to the trade but with the right of support from Government, we can bounce back to become a powerhouse of the economy once again. If that support falls short though, we’ll see more business failures on top of the 285 pubs already lost.”
25 April 2021
[embed]https://ibb.co/HX9v5sH[/embed] On the day of hospitality reopening in Scotland, the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) are requesting that changes are made to the levels route map. Changes can be justified by positive progress continuing to be made and the sector demonstrating its ability to trade safely and responsibly. The industry is asking for the extension of opening hours back to normal licensing times, which at the moment is not scheduled to be reintroduced until Level 0. The SBPA says that the current arrangement means that many pubs won’t be viable given the restricted trading hours- risking business failures just as the recovery period should be starting. Making the request, SBPA President Edith Monfries said: “It is fantastic to see Scotland’s pubs and bars reopening again today. Teams coming back and reconnecting with customers and communities is an important first step, and everyone is excited to get going again. “For many premises the ongoing restrictions mean they still cannot open and even for those who are opening their doors again today, the restrictions make a return to profitability difficult and many will operate at a deficit until further progress through the levels. “We completely understand and appreciate the cautious approach being adopted by Government in seeking to limit the spread of the virus, and so do the businesses we represent. They have invested, taken on debt and worked tirelessly to ensure their businesses are safe places for customers and staff to return to and take seriously their responsibilities. “On top of today’s reopening, the current decline in prevalence of the virus coupled with the vaccination roll-out give reasons to be optimistic. That is why we are requesting that if we continue to see positive progress and if there are no major hospitality related incidents, that the Government consider allowing a return to licensing hours. “Unfortunately, the maintenance of the curfew severely limits profitable hours and for many of Scotland licensed premises, it could be the difference between survival and bankruptcy. “Removing the curfew restrictions in time for 17 May would provide an enormous boost to the whole licensed trade and deliver renewed confidence in the sector, which would be hugely welcomed by everyone in the trade. Let us show we are safe, and then let us trade viably so we can kickstart Scotland’s recovery together.” [embed]https://twitter.com/i/status/1386692106098458625[/embed]
14 April 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), the leading trade association for pubs and breweries in Scotland, has today launched its manifesto in which it sets out a clear list of priorities for politicians in spearheading the recovery and future of the sector. As part of the manifesto, it is also seeking to engage prospective MSPs to commit to a four-point pledge of support. Central to the manifesto is a commitment from Parliament that 2021 will be a year of supported recovery for a sector that employs 67,000 people in Scotland and in a pre-covid year would be a national economic powerhouse and bedrock for local communities. The Scottish Beer and Pub Association is calling for a Scottish pubs sector strategy and recovery plan, a dedicated Covid recovery fund and a Scottish Pubs Minister to lead the recovery. In addition, it is asking for eight regulatory commitments, including that coronavirus restrictions will be based on regular science-based reviews, assurances the restrictions will be lifted in full in time and a moratorium in the new Parliament on further legislation that will place extra cost burdens on the sector. Support for a new industry led apprenticeship scheme to drive job creation and skills, a funded green economy plan for beer and pubs and policy changes to stimulate responsible drinking including in incentivising lower strength drinks, are also in the manifesto. Prospective MSPs are being asked to sign a pledge to: Champion Scotland’s pubs, bars & breweries Help the sector’s Covid-19 recovery Recognise that pubs are the largest community outreach network Put pubs and bars at the heart of community and town centre regeneration planning Launching the manifesto President of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, Edith Monfries said: “There are over 4000 pubs in Scotland and 130 breweries contributing £1.66bn to the economy and paying £785m in wages. Fast tracking the recovery of our sector will be critical to Scotland’s economic and social recovery. In our manifesto today we set out our clearly defined route-map for success which we hope the next government will listen to and work with us to make happen. “We need a long-term plan that makes Scottish pubs and breweries sustainable for the future so that Scotland’s vibrant hospitality and tourism sector can thrive once again.“Pubs are the bedrock of every community and constituency in Scotland, central to social recovery and part of the solution to heal isolated communities so we appeal to prospective MSPs to join us in signing up to our pledge to support Scotland’s pubs and breweries.”
09 April 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has called for a fairer deal for the country's pubs, bars and other licensed venues ahead of expected reopening later this month, which they say is currently ‘grossly unfair’. Under current plans, pubs and bars will be severely limited in their ability to trade viably once allowed to reopen but will receive no extra support in comparison to other sectors which will be able to trade close to normal as soon as they open their doors. A survey carried out by the trade body showed that the Level 3 restrictions will see estimated turnover fall by 79%, making the majority of Scotland’s licensed venues entirely unviable. Pubs, bars and other late-night venues will receive the same amount as a café or fast-food in grant support, despite the restrictions having a much more damaging impact on the licensed trade. Commenting, SBPA CEO Emma McClarkin said: “The economic support provided by both governments has been instrumental in preventing business failures, but the current arrangement is grossly unfair to our sector. A café or fast-food outlet will be able to trade almost as normal from the 26th of April, whereas our sector will see turnover drop by 79%, but both will receive the same level of grant support. “Due to the nature of our business, a huge percentage of trade takes place in the evening but we’ve still no date for when we will be able to return to normal licensing hours. This means that many hospitality businesses are completely in the dark as to when they will return to profitability, with no further economic support from the Scottish Government expected. Even at Level 2, the restrictions on hours will see pubs down 20% on turnover. “Once again Scotland’s pubs and bars will be at a competitive disadvantage to those in England, where all limitations on trading times will be removed later this month. The Scottish Government must look again at the curfew and allow us to return to regular licensing hours as soon as possible, or provide those businesses impacted with adequate financial support to get them through. “The current arrangement is simply unfair to the licensed trade and the thousands of employees who work in the sector.”
01 April 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today revealed that Scottish pubs will miss out on selling 8 million pints this Easter due to the fact they are required to remain closed. It means those looking to celebrate the Easter bank holiday weekend cannot do so at their local, either for a pint in the beer garden or for a roast dinner. Pubs remain closed in Scotland until 26th April at the earliest, when they should be able to open but with alcohol outdoors only. This will be followed by full-indoor reopening on 17th May, but there is still no date for when all restrictions will be removed. According to the SBPA, the loss of beer sales from this Easter bank holiday weekend alone will result in the sector losing out on £31 million in trade across Scotland that would have been crucial to its recovery. More importantly though, it is the second Easter in a row where Scotland’s pubs will not be able to open their doors to customers, meaning families and friends have not been able to celebrate the occasion or enjoy their Easter holiday by visiting their local for a pint or pub dinner for 2 years in a row. The trade association also said the forced closure of pubs this Easter weekend was even more sad because the weather is set to be good, meaning in usual circumstances people would make the most of the pub beer garden. The SBPA says it is crucial that pubs in Scotland can re-open and trade as soon as possible, and the Scottish Government sets a date for the complete removal of restrictions. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: “A visit to the pub over Easter is one of life’s simple pleasures, but sadly for the second year in a row our pubs remain forced shut. “Thousands of pub goers in Scotland will be missing out on a trip to their local for a cold beer and pub dinner, as well as valuable time spent in the company of others. “It’s a major disappointment for pubs and publicans too, who cannot wait to reopen for their communities and for who the Easter trade would be a major boost. “Instead, they will miss out on selling some 8 million pints worth £31 million in trade to the sector in Scotland. “It is particularly sad as the sun will be out this Easter, yet people will not be able to soak up the rays in their local pub beer garden. “It is imperative the Scottish Government’s roadmap to reopening does not get delayed. We hope our pubs will be able to start re-opening from 26th April and fully open without any restrictions as soon as possible.”
23 March 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has tonight said that the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill, which passed Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament will be disastrous for the industry. The Bill which was brought forward by Neil Bibby MSP will have a detrimental and long-lasting impact on Scotland’s tied pubs and the future of the model in the country. In response to the vote Emma McClarkin, CEO of Scottish Beer and Pub Association said: “Today is a sad day for Scotland’s pubs. In passing the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill, MSPs have sided against the recommendation of its own Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee, and in despite of the fact that few pub tenants nor any pub company supported the plans, which will be disastrous for our sector. “This Bill puts the recovery of our sector in greater jeopardy and has been voted though despite any evidence at all of an issue. It comes just as pubs face their greatest challenge to survive following the pandemic and before we can even reopen. It is very disappointing - we have truly been let down by this ill-conceived Bill’. What is needed from our politicians to help pubs is to be focusing on reopening and supporting the sector into a strong recovery. This Bill puts the sector under more pressure at the worst possible time. “The result means we have more uncertainty for the sector as pub companies will be forced to pause investment in tied pubs, jeopardising the future of the model in Scotland. For entrepreneurs wanting to operate their own pub business, the cost to entry will rise and funding to innovate, diminish. And for small breweries who currently sell into tied pubs via pub company contracts, they will have to negotiate pub by pub, inevitability hitting sales and putting Scottish brewers at a significant disadvantage. For pubs, breweries and for Scottish pub goers, it’s a hugely retrograde step.“For a sector already hit the hardest through the pandemic this is a huge and devastating blow.”