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 more02 May 2020
New research by the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has revealed that an estimated 1500 pubs eligible for vital grants, still haven’t received the funds from Local Authorities to help them survive the COVID-19 lockdown. The research showed that Glasgow City Council, which has 384 pubs eligible for the Coronavirus Business Support grants of £10,000 or £25,000, had the lowest percentage of grants paid with only 25% of applications reaching businesses as of the 28th of April. This leaves an estimated 288 pubs in the city without the much-needed lifeline of support, and only 96 receiving the funds. Across the whole of Scotland, 3,929 pubs are estimated to be eligible for a grant, with 61% (2,403) receiving the funds. This leaves an estimated 1526 pubs without this much needed cashflow at the end of the month, when bills and payments are due. The Local Authorities with the lowest percentage of approved applications for grant support are: Glasgow; 25.05% Approved; 288 Pubs without funds. South Lanarkshire; 48.95% Approved; 80 Pubs without funds. Fife; 51.71% Approved; 143 Pubs without funds. In contrast, those with highest percentage of approved applications for grant support are: Scottish Borders; 95.86% Approved; 5 Pubs without funds. Aberdeenshire; 83.84% Approved; 31 Pubs without funds. Clackmannanshire; 81.45% Approved; 7 Pubs without funds. The support package was announced by the Finance Secretary Kate Forbes in March, with Local Authorities expected to receive funds within 10 days. Over one month later, many businesses have still seen no sign of the cash. Commenting on the research, Emma McClarkin CEO of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association said: “Our research shows that too many Local Authorities are not paying grants to pubs and other hospitality businesses anywhere near quickly enough, with over 1500 pubs across Scotland estimated to still be waiting. For smaller pub businesses in particularthis grant funding is urgently needed. “This needs to be rectified immediately. Otherwise, pubs will close for good and the thousands of people they employ will lose jobs. “Credit must go to those Local Authorities who are doing the right thing and getting their grants to pubs and other businesses quickly. We need the Local Authorities to learn from best practice and get the urgently needed support to pub businesses as a matter of urgency.” This table uses data from the SBPA and that published by the Scottish Government here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-fund-grant-statistics/ Information on the Coronavirus Business Support grants (via local authorities is available here: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice/sources-of-funding
15 April 2020
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s extension of the grant scheme to multiple premises, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association’s CEO Emma McClarkin said: “This is a hugely welcome announcement from the Cabinet Secretary and one that the SBPA has been pushing the government repeatedly on over the last few weeks. This gives Pubs and other hospitality businesses the extra cashflow needed to survive at this time and will also allow more businesses to reopen once the pandemic is over. There remain areas where further support is still needed; pubs with rateable values of over £51,000 will still receive no grant support and is something we’re pushing both UK and Scottish Government’s for more action, but today’s a day many businesses will be saying ‘Cheers’ to Kate Forbes and the Scottish Government.”
20 March 2020
Commenting on the closure of pubs in Scotland this evening, Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) said: “Both Scottish and UK Governments have been clear that pubs must now shut down. The safety and wellbeing of people is our priority and we stand ready to play our part in the fight against COVID-19, helping to protect our communities and employees. “As a sector employing nearly 68,000 people in Scotland, the Chancellor’s support package announced today on staff wages, combined with the support announced by the Finance Secretary to Holyrood earlier in the week, will safeguard thousands of livelihoods and help closed pubs try to get through this difficult period. “We stand ready to work with both Governments and Local Authorities to ensure that the support is accessible as fast as possible. There remain areas where we need further support to sustain our great brewing and pub sector through this difficult time, to ensure that all staff will have jobs to return to and to guarantee all pubs can reopen again when this crisis is over and continue to be at the heart of communities up and down the country.”
18 March 2020
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has welcomed the announcement this afternoon from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture Fiona Hyslop of the £2.2bn worth of measures to support business, and the replication of measures announced by the Chancellor yesterday. Commenting, Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association said: “The replication of the support that the Chancellor announced for businesses in England yesterday is very much welcomed by industry, and we commend the Scottish Government for the speed of their announcement. “Low-cost loans and business rates holidays are a positive step, but we now need immediate action to address the lack of cash in the beer and pub ecosystem. “For that we need an immediate announcement from the UK Government that they will guarantee that staff will be paid by underwriting at least 75% of wages. That is so companies can keep these staff on and easily reopen when the situation changes back to normal. “Mass and permanent pub closures are absolutely inevitable in a matter of days without a meaningful support package from the UK Government. Some pubs are already closing and there is no guarantee that they will ever reopen. “Another important step is quick access and distribution of the £10,000 and £25,000 grants. This can be done via pub owning companies who have capability and means to get the funding directly to the businesses that need it most. “These measures, alongside the immediate cancellation of duty payments due on 25th March and VAT payments due at the end of the month can stop critical cash leaving the system.”
16 March 2020
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, commented: “The severity of the COVID-19 crisis is now impacting on Pubs with devastating effect. The very existence of hundreds of Scottish pubs and thousands of jobs now at risk. “Both the UK and Scottish governments needs to give clear instructions and detail on the support package to rescue the sector and hundreds of thousands of jobs. “Urgent measures to support cash flows and enable cost reductions is an absolute necessity. Government action now will save thousands of jobs and save our pubs. “Support for pubs now is an investment in the long-term future of communities across the UK without it we risk losing our community assets forever.”
26 February 2020
Tackling alcohol harm was the focus of an event at Holyrood on Tuesday night, sponsored by Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian. MSPs and other stakeholders, including police, the third sector, Alcohol & Drug Partnerships, government officials and representatives from the drinks industry, were given the chance to see for themselves the work being carried out across Scotland by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP). A new national campaign in partnership with Police Scotland aimed at tackling proxy purchase of alcohol by adults for children, and the creation of Community Alcohol Partnerships in communities across Scotland, were highlighted by the SAIP as key activities for the coming year. The SAIP was also pleased to announce its work with Drinkaware to support rollout of their ‘Drinkaware at work’ programme. In addition, over the coming year the SAIP will continue to work with Best Bar None Scotland to encourage uptake of the 125ml wine measure in the on-trade, and is providing funding to Street Assist for new equipment. A number of the organisations that the SAIP and its members work with were represented at the event, including Drinkaware, Community Alcohol Partnerships, Best Bar None, Street Assist, Alcohol Education Trust and the Scotch Whisky Action Fund. Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian said: “This event was an engaging way to learn about the work that is going on across the country to tackle the harmful use of alcohol. I was particularly encouraged by the work being done by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Police Scotland to tackle underage drinking.” Paul Johnson, Partnership Manager at Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership, commented: “Partnership working is critical if we are to make a difference to the harmful use of alcohol.” Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said on behalf of the Partnership: “Our industry has an important role to play in encouraging moderate consumption and in tackling alcohol misuse. The event highlighted the range of initiatives being taken forward in partnership across the industry, in addition to work that many companies also do individually. It’s very encouraging to see the progress that these initiatives are making and the impact they are having in communities. We know there is more to do, and we are committed to ensuring that the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership goes from strength to strength.”