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 more17 January 2019
A major grants fund for scientific research and education in the brewing industry has begun inviting applications for funding in 2019/20. Under the Brewers’ Research & Education Fund (BREF), applicants have just under three months to submit their bids, with a deadline for funding applications of 31st March 2019. Full details of the applications process can be obtained via the British Beer & Pub Association website. The BREF supports vital research into projects of potential benefit to the brewing industry, such as improving brewery environmental footprint, dispense hygiene surveys and developing new hop varieties, as well as a range of educational activities. The fund was created through proceeds from the sale of the BBPA’s original headquarters in Portman Square, central London. The Worshipful Company of Brewers acts as Trustee and administers the fund, with the BBPA promoting the fund and providing the secretariat. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments: “The Brewers’ Research & Education Fund has supported many important projects over the years and is an important legacy from the Brewers’ Society and the Institute of Brewing. I’m delighted the fund is open for another year and look forward to receiving applications.” Michael O'Dwyer, The Clerk to the Brewers' Company, comments: “The Brewers’ Research & Education Fund is a great example of the Brewers' Company’s focus on investing in the future of the brewing industry. As the Trustee of the fund, the Brewers’ Company looks forward to awarding grants to another selection of valuable industry research projects and the opportunity to further education in beer and brewing.”
16 January 2019
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today commented on the findings of a survey by the Portman Group, which found that there has been a boom in the popularity of low and no alcohol alternatives. Figures from the survey show that nearly a quarter (24%)[1] of British drinkers have either already switched some of their drinking to low alcohol alternatives or would consider doing so in the next six months. The findings follow ongoing investment and innovation in low and no alcohol beers by UK brewers, which has been key to the low and no alcohol boom, says the BBPA. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, comments: “The boom in the popularity of low and no alcohol products, as shown by the Portman Group’s survey, is very encouraging. With the significant investment and innovation in low and no alcohol beers by UK brewers, beer has been a key part of this growth. “The skill and craft needed to brew low and no alcohol beers is no different to normal strength beers, meaning they taste great and quality is not compromised. With a bigger range of low and no alcohol beers than ever before, there has never been a better time to give them a go! “Although we are experiencing a boom in the low and no alcohol part of the category, there is a real need for the Government to engage and help our industry to promote these products and bring the guidance on alcohol descriptors in line with that of our European neighbours. There is growing interest in moderate alcohol consumption as the survey by the Portman Group shows and we need everyone to work together to make it easier for consumers to understand what is on offer and create real choice.” [1] Figure from YouGov PLC. Total sample size was 2004 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th - 20th December 2018. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
15 January 2019
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has today responded to the Government’s consultation on planning reform. In its response, the BBPA has said that pubs must be front of mind when it comes to increasing planning flexibility, which will in turn help boost town centres and high streets. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, comments: “The pub is the heart of the community and vital to the high street offer, so it must be front of mind when it comes to planning reform. Changes to the Use Class Orders are key to this, so greater planning flexibility for leisure use is offered to pubs, not just restaurants and other hospitality businesses. Although merging Use Classes A1 (retail), A2 (Professional Services) and A3 (Food & Drink) would allow for more mixed uses, it would leave out pubs, meaning Use Class A4 (pubs) must be given greater flexibility too so pubs can make better use of their space. “The decline of the high street to date and closures to other public spaces has made pubs more precious than ever before. Many community pubs across the UK already house post offices, shops and libraries and there are no reasons why large pub premises should not provide a similar offer in town centres. This requires further discussions to ensure that whilst pubs’ unique planning statuses are retained, they have the opportunity to act as mixed-use venues too. “Town centres and high streets have a vital role to play in the need to build more housing, so the opportunity to extend buildings upwards is sensible. However, it is vitally important that the Agent of Change principle, which puts the onus on developers to protect existing businesses like pubs from noise complaints, is implemented vigorously and clearly identified in new guidance in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (Paragraph 182).”
21 December 2018
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has predicted that pubs will serve 10 million pints of beer and 3 million traditional dinners on Christmas Day. Across the festive period as a whole[1], the BBPA predicts that 40 million pints of beer will be sold in Britain’s pubs, a Christmas present for pubs worth £150 million. As popular venues for Christmas parties and celebrations, pubs will have already been planning their Christmas menus and quality beer selections well in advance, to keep festive punters happy and deliver a brilliant Christmas experience. The extra number of pints sold during the festive period will also bring Christmas cheer for the taxman. With tax on beer, in addition to VAT, meaning that HMRC could get an additional windfall as high as £22 million from pub goers celebrating Christmas at their local. Across the month of December, increased demand for beer in both pubs and supermarkets to celebrate Christmas will see the equivalent of 780 million pints sold - 135 million pints more than the average month. BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds comments: “Christmas is a very busy time for Britain’s pubs and many see them as a home from home during the festive period. In fact, 10 million pints will be served by pubs on Christmas Day and 3 million Christmas dinners will be served at the pub as well. “The role of the pub at Christmas is far greater than a place to eat and drink though. In many ways, the pub is the original social network and Christmas is a great chance to use it to reconnect with friends and family. “The pub brings the community together and for those who aren’t so fortunate to be spending Christmas with loved ones, the local will be a great place to soak up the festive cheer and avoid feeling lonely.” [1] Defined as Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day.
19 December 2018
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has today responded to the publication of the Immigration White Paper. Commenting on the Immigration White Paper, BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds said: “We welcome the Immigration White Paper and its recognition that migrant workers play an important role in the UK economy. Greater flexibility shows the Government has been listening to the beer and pub sector as well as the wider business community. “We have previously called for a review of the Tier system and welcome the intention outlined by the Government to remove the annual cap on the number of Tier-2 work visas issued, widen the skills threshold to include people with qualifications equivalent to that of A levels, and end the requirements for labour market tests by employers wanting to sponsor a worker. “We have also previously raised our concerns over retaining the salary cap of £30,000 as pub chefs, who are very much in short supply within our sector, would in many cases not meet this prohibitively high cap. A further consultation on the appropriate salary cap is therefore most welcome and we will also seek that chefs are included on the shortage occupation list going forwards. “It is good that the white paper recognises the administrative burden involved in employing migrant workers, particularly for SMEs, stating that the Government intends to make the visa sponsorship process less onerous. No small pub could take on the current sponsorship requirements as they stand, let alone the cost and bureaucracy that currently goes with it. “The BBPA has repeatedly called for the Youth Mobility Scheme to be extended to the whole of the EU, so it is great to see the Government commit to doing this in the white paper. The Youth Mobility Scheme allows young people up to the age of 30 from a prescribed list of countries to work in the UK for up to two years and considering some 42% of employees in pubs are under the age of 25, it is great news for our sector. “Whilst through the proposed Tourism Sector Deal we will be working hard to recruit and retain more UK nationals, the announcement of an additional transitionary short term work visa for workers from low-risk countries will also be welcomed by our sector. “The white paper has outlined that the Government does not intend to require visitors from the EU to require a visa to travel to the UK. This is good news for the Britain’s brewers and pubs who are a vital part of the countries tourism industry. “Overall, the Immigration White Paper is a more positive step forward than had been anticipated for Britain’s beer and pub sectors and addresses some of our key concerns. However, there are still some major challenges to address in terms of salary thresholds, costs and affordability and we look forward to building on it through consultations and discussions with the Government moving forward.”
19 December 2018
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today welcomed the publication of the first set of Pubs Code awards by the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA). The decision comes after the six pub companies covered by the code – Admiral Taverns, Ei group, Greene King, Marston's, Punch and Star Pubs & Bars – outlined and agreed to a framework whereby they would waiver confidentially to make arbitration decisions public. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “We welcome the PCA publishing the first set of Pubs Code awards. Making the awards public will increase transparency, allowing both tenants and industry alike to learn from the decisions the PCA makes.”