Pubs to miss out on £5m of beer sales during England and Ukraine clash because of restrictions
The trade body says that the boost to pubs from showing the Euros is being greatly restricted by restrictions on the trade, including one metre plus social distancing, no standing, table service only and the rule of six, with pubs set to sell 1.5 million fewer pints as a result.
According to the BBPA, a number of its members have seen Saturday bookings cancelled in the run up to the match. Members have also reported that beer sales are lower than they had hoped from the Euros games shown so far.
“Restrictions on pubs are continuing to bite and because of this any boost pubs had hoped for from the Euros has been greatly weakened,” says Emma McClarkin, BBPA chief executive.
“We expect pubs to sell 1.5 million fewer pints during the match because of the restrictions. Pubs will lose out on £5 million from that alone, which could be the difference to survival or closure for some.”
The BBPA also says that recovery for the beer and pub sector “remains in the balance” with many pubs across the country having to close or significantly reduce their opening hours due to staffing issues, caused by staff shortages and NHS Test & Trace ‘pings’ resulting in pub staff having to isolate, despite testing negative for Coronavirus on lateral flow tests.
Reports suggesting that double-jabbed Brits won’t have to isolate for 10 days if they get ‘pinged’ by the NHS Test & Trace app if they test negative on a lateral flow test will not work for the pub sector, it says, because 43% of pub staff are aged 18 – 25, meaning they are at the back of the queue for vaccines and will not have their second jab for months.
“Looking ahead, NHS Test & Trace is becoming a huge issue for our pubs. Already pubs are closing or greatly reducing their opening hours due to staff shortages caused by app pings – despite staff testing negative on lateral flow tests,” says McClarkin.
“Reports that anyone with both jabs will not have to isolate from a NHS Test & Trace ping so long as they test negative on a lateral flow test will not work for our sector. We urge the Government to work with us to find a sensible solution to this that still ensures staff and customer safety.”
