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 morePhilippa Borrowman | 11 January 2018
Ensuring illegal substances are never used in licensed venues is a challenge, but with the help of National Pubwatch’s new film, ‘Drugs and Pubs’, licensees can gain insight into how best to approach the issue, and what to do if you think drugs are being used on your premises. National Pubwatch has highlighted that no matter how well a venue is run, no licensee is immune to the problem of drug use in pubs. The new film highlights ways in which pubs can deal with drug users and dealers in pubs, how security can be trained to identify and handle drugs, as well as the negative effects which ignoring the issue can have on your business. It follows recently updated guidance produced by the BBPA in August 2017. The film hopes to inform licensees in an engaging and interesting way, to signpost where further information can be obtained in the event that drugs are being used on the premises. BBPA guidance, available on our website, similarly highlights some of the key issues underlying drug use in pubs, explains the law around drugs, how to identify drugs and drug users, how to prevent drug use on premises, and how to deal with those in possession of drugs. Both the National Pubwatch film and BBPA guidance aim to support licensees in creating a safe and secure environment for customers to promote all four of the licensing objectives: - Prevention of crime and disorder; - Public safety; - Prevention of public nuisance; - Protection of children from harm Taking steps towards preventing drug use in pubs is vital. Illegal drug use will damage trade and reputation, could result in other criminal activities such as violence, and risks the loss of licence. The new and updated BBPA website is just one of the ways which licensees can stay informed and up-to-date on best practice. The website will provide easy-to-access guidance on this and many other issues, as well as relevant news updates tailored to specific policy areas.
09 January 2018
Responding to the announcement by the Scottish Labour MSP Neil Bibby that he will seek to introduce new legislation on the nation’s leased and tenanted pubs, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association has called for the MSP to ‘think again’. If successful, the proposed legislation would remove opportunities for young entrepreneurs and stifle investment in the pub industry in Scotland. It would introduce a costly and inflexible statutory code of practice for just 17 per cent of Scotland’s pubs, when there is already an effective system of self-regulation to deal with disputes, which has been in place since July 2016. Brian Davidson, President of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association said: “We would strongly urge Neil Bibby to rethink this proposal and instead focus on helping to secure meaningful support for all 4,900 pubs in Scotland, not just the 17 per cent which the current bill is unfairly aimed at. “Pubs are of vital importance to the Scottish economy and communities across the country, so we welcome that they are on the agenda at Holyrood. Our sector faces multiple challenges, and the support of politicians is essential to ensure the pub market remains vibrant and diverse, as it is today. “However, we believe this Bill will do the opposite of what it sets out to achieve, and seeks to find a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. “Last year a comprehensive independent report by the Scottish Government found that no part of the pub sector in Scotland was unfairly disadvantaged over another. Any reform should be evidence-based, and evidence to back these proposed changes is noticeably absent. If successful, this bill will hurt small business owners, offer fewer choices for consumers and ultimately cost jobs. “We believe further dialogue between trade bodies, government and other interested parties is now needed. We look forward to the forthcoming stakeholder meeting convened by the Minister to discuss these bill proposals in the round with other areas of real interest and concern to the industry at this time.” A real Scottish pub success story is Kained Holdings, started in 2007 by three friends – Scott Arnot, Graham Suttle & Mo Clark. In 2007, they opened Lebowskis in Finnieston with investment from a pub company. A decade later, they now employ over 170 staff across nine bars and restaurants. Commenting on today’s announcement, Scott Arnot of Kained Holdings said: “When Graham, Mo and I opened Lebowskis in 2007, it was with the help of a pub company and beer-tie agreement. We were given an opportunity to try something new and we know that the investment we received could not have been replicated from other sources. “The beer-tie arrangement has afforded myself and my partners opportunities to grow our business, support local communities and employ over 170 people. We do realise that the model is not perfect. However, this bill, while perhaps well-intended, is a threat to innovation and investment. It will see fewer opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovation in our Industry, and ultimately fewer Scottish success stories in the licenced trade."
08 January 2018
The BBPA has welcomed the Government’s decision to consult on extended pub hours for the Royal wedding on Friday and Saturday, 18th and 19th May, until 1am the following morning. The BBPA had written to the Home Office requesting the move as soon as the wedding date was first announced. Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, Brigid Simmonds said: “This is great news for pubs and pub-goers and shows the government has listened to our calls to put pubs at the heart of the Royal Wedding celebrations. “Visitors see the Great British pub as a cultural icon, almost as much as the Royal Family. Extended hours would give a £10million boost to the trade and make the most of the expected increase in tourism.” Extract from letter sent by Brigid Simmonds to Victoria Atkins MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office on 19th December: Extended Hours - Royal Wedding Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 allows for extended hours to be set on a national basis for four consecutive days. Since the Act was introduced in 2005, we have had extended hours for the last Royal Wedding, for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the World Cup. For the first two, extended hours were granted on the relevant Friday and Saturday until 1am and we believe that it would be appropriate for pubs to be allowed extended hours on Friday 18th May and Saturday 19th May. Both extensions would be until 1am the following morning. On none of the previous occasions did the police report problems related to the extended hours. By our best estimates, beer sales increased by at least 5% and food sales were up by 8% as a result. This equates to a £10 million boost to the pub sector and there is of course a ‘feel good factor’ for the nation on this weekend and what better place to encourage local support than in the Great British Pub. I very much hope that you and the Government will consider supporting this request and I look forward to hearing from you.
05 January 2018
BBPA Member
This content is only available for BBPA Members. If you are a member sign in to view this content.
05 January 2018
BBPA Member
This content is only available for BBPA Members. If you are a member sign in to view this content.
05 January 2018
BBPA Member
This content is only available for BBPA Members. If you are a member sign in to view this content.