The British Beer & Pub Association has revealed 2,000 pubs are unable to reopen on Monday due to continued restrictions.
The Government’s next step in its roadmap to recovery starts on 17 May, enabling hospitality venues including 45,000 pubs to reopen for service indoors.
However, pubs and other parts of the hospitality sector will still face heavy restrictions compared to normal. They will be required to ensure 1 metre plus social distancing is in place, operate by table service only and ensure that face masks are worn other than when sat at a table inside or if outdoors.
The BBPA says that for these reasons, it estimates beer sales for Monday will be 65% – some 1.6 million pints – lower than a normal Monday pre-pandemic. This is below the break-even point for most pubs, who cannot trade profitably whilst the current restrictions remain in place.
As well as reduced footfall in city and town centres, those pubs who are reliant or standing and vertical drinking due to their small footprints will be particularly adversely affected by table service only due to their limited space.
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive , Scottish Beer & Pub AssociationIt is therefore urging the Government to commit to 21st June for the lifting of all restrictions, including removal of social distancing and allowing vertical drinking and bar service to resume.
Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “After some questionable weather during the last week or so, we know Brits are looking forward to being back inside the pub once more.
“Our pubs have been preparing for this Monday over the last couple of months. We expect 45,000 pubs to open across the UK and 3 million pints to be served on Monday alone.
“This is by no means the end of the crisis for our sector. We need pubs fully reopened without any restrictions at all on June 21st if they are to survive and trade viably.”
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Hospitality & Catering News: BBPA reveal 2,000 pubs unable to reopen next week. – 14 May 2021 – BBPA reveal 2,000 pubs unable to reopen next week.
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