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 more05 January 2018
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05 January 2018
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21 December 2017
Significant cuts in US beer duty will save British beer exporters £7.2 million, and have been welcomed by the BBPA. Taxes are being reduced by $2 per US barrel for all brewers exporting to the US from the UK. The UK exports 3.4 million barrels to the US each year – our largest export market. Through a new beer export strategy recently launched by the BBPA, the industry has set itself a target of achieving £100 million growth over the next five years. BBPA CEO, Brigid Simmonds comments: “I welcome this tax reduction in the US, which will provide opportunities for British Brewers to pursue markets in the US. “US small brewers still enjoy tax advantages over UK brewers. When they export to the UK, they receive all the advantages of the UK’s Small Brewer Relief, yet the Federal discounts offered in the US are not available to the UK’s small Brewers. “This is something we tried hard to correct through the US/EU negotiations on TTIP and would like to see tackled under any forthcoming US/UK trade deal. “We must however, congratulate the US Beer Institute for all their work to achieve reductions in beer taxation and for their co-operation with us to help UK beer exports.”
15 December 2017
BBPA Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds, comments: “This is very welcome report, which rightly recognises that all of us, including businesses, can do more to help tackle loneliness. “Whilst our domestic and social lives are changing, pubs do play a vital role in bringing people together, creating a great social network, which can often provide a lifeline. “As well as just being there for people, there are company-wide initiatives in the pub sector. Heineken won a BBPA award this year, with a nationwide campaign to tackle loneliness through pubs. The company teamed up with local charities and community pubs to host festive lunches for people who would otherwise be spending Christmas alone, and the scheme is running again, this year. “With mental health rightly moving up the political agenda, I hope the report and its recommendations are taken seriously.”
15 December 2017
With the Royal Wedding announced for Saturday, 19th May, the British Beer & Pub Association is leading calls for extended pub hours, which would give a £10 million boost to the trade. There’s no better way to celebrate a Royal Wedding, says the BBPA, than with family and friends in your favourite local. The BBPA wants to see extra hours for the Friday and Saturday night, 18th and 19th May. Past national celebrations where the government has successfully used the ‘special occasions order’ have included the Royal Wedding in 2011, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the 2014 World Cup and the Queen’s 90th Birthday in 2016. BBPA Chief Executive, Brigid Simmonds, comments: “A Royal wedding is a great national celebration, and a wonderful opportunity for us all to get together in the pub. I know this would be warmly welcomed by pubgoers and the pub trade. It would put pubs at the heart of the celebrations, something which has been a great success for previous major Royal events. I hope the Government will embrace this idea.”
14 December 2017
Mike Wood, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer group, welcomed guests to a packed House of Commons terrace last night, for the annual BBPA and APPBG Christmas reception. In a keynote speech, newly-elected BBPA Chairman, Simon Emeny, told MPs and industry guests, that the sector was looking to the future to tempt Generation Z into the pub, but pubs will need to be affordable, he said, and the sector needed support from Westminster to keep costs down. On taxation, we have a business rates system designed in 1967, he said, which was forcing shops and restaurants to close. He warmly welcomed the freeze in beer duty in the Budget, but more action was needed to create a level playing field with online businesses when it comes to tax. Finally, on the challenge of Brexit, he highlighted the sector’s need to recruit ambitious, hardworking and enthusiastic colleagues from the UK to work in pubs, especially in kitchens. In his speech, Treasury Minister Andrew Jones praised the industry, and said the Government fully understood the vital role the sector played, which was why it received support in the November Budget. He said he received more vigorous lobbying from the industry than for any other sector, but the industry was pushing at an open door.