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 more01 April 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today revealed that Scottish pubs will miss out on selling 8 million pints this Easter due to the fact they are required to remain closed. It means those looking to celebrate the Easter bank holiday weekend cannot do so at their local, either for a pint in the beer garden or for a roast dinner. Pubs remain closed in Scotland until 26th April at the earliest, when they should be able to open but with alcohol outdoors only. This will be followed by full-indoor reopening on 17th May, but there is still no date for when all restrictions will be removed. According to the SBPA, the loss of beer sales from this Easter bank holiday weekend alone will result in the sector losing out on £31 million in trade across Scotland that would have been crucial to its recovery. More importantly though, it is the second Easter in a row where Scotland’s pubs will not be able to open their doors to customers, meaning families and friends have not been able to celebrate the occasion or enjoy their Easter holiday by visiting their local for a pint or pub dinner for 2 years in a row. The trade association also said the forced closure of pubs this Easter weekend was even more sad because the weather is set to be good, meaning in usual circumstances people would make the most of the pub beer garden. The SBPA says it is crucial that pubs in Scotland can re-open and trade as soon as possible, and the Scottish Government sets a date for the complete removal of restrictions. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: “A visit to the pub over Easter is one of life’s simple pleasures, but sadly for the second year in a row our pubs remain forced shut. “Thousands of pub goers in Scotland will be missing out on a trip to their local for a cold beer and pub dinner, as well as valuable time spent in the company of others. “It’s a major disappointment for pubs and publicans too, who cannot wait to reopen for their communities and for who the Easter trade would be a major boost. “Instead, they will miss out on selling some 8 million pints worth £31 million in trade to the sector in Scotland. “It is particularly sad as the sun will be out this Easter, yet people will not be able to soak up the rays in their local pub beer garden. “It is imperative the Scottish Government’s roadmap to reopening does not get delayed. We hope our pubs will be able to start re-opening from 26th April and fully open without any restrictions as soon as possible.”
23 March 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has tonight said that the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill, which passed Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament will be disastrous for the industry. The Bill which was brought forward by Neil Bibby MSP will have a detrimental and long-lasting impact on Scotland’s tied pubs and the future of the model in the country. In response to the vote Emma McClarkin, CEO of Scottish Beer and Pub Association said: “Today is a sad day for Scotland’s pubs. In passing the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill, MSPs have sided against the recommendation of its own Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee, and in despite of the fact that few pub tenants nor any pub company supported the plans, which will be disastrous for our sector. “This Bill puts the recovery of our sector in greater jeopardy and has been voted though despite any evidence at all of an issue. It comes just as pubs face their greatest challenge to survive following the pandemic and before we can even reopen. It is very disappointing - we have truly been let down by this ill-conceived Bill’. What is needed from our politicians to help pubs is to be focusing on reopening and supporting the sector into a strong recovery. This Bill puts the sector under more pressure at the worst possible time. “The result means we have more uncertainty for the sector as pub companies will be forced to pause investment in tied pubs, jeopardising the future of the model in Scotland. For entrepreneurs wanting to operate their own pub business, the cost to entry will rise and funding to innovate, diminish. And for small breweries who currently sell into tied pubs via pub company contracts, they will have to negotiate pub by pub, inevitability hitting sales and putting Scottish brewers at a significant disadvantage. For pubs, breweries and for Scottish pub goers, it’s a hugely retrograde step.“For a sector already hit the hardest through the pandemic this is a huge and devastating blow.”
19 March 2021
Edith Monfries, Chief Operating Officer of Hawthorn, the Community Pub Co., has been appointed as President of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, the leading trade association for pubs and brewers in Scotland. Edith replaces Brian Davidson, who steps down after 4 years in the role, at a critical juncture for the pub and brewing sector in Scotland. With pubs having been largely closed or facing huge restrictions to trading for the past year, the role of working hand in hand with the Scottish Government to ensure the sector’s recovery and long-term future is vital. Speaking about her appointment Edith said “I am proud of my Scottish roots, so it's an honour to become President of the SBPA, an organisation which plays such an important role in providing a voice for our sector. Pubs are a crucial part of Scotland's social fabric, and I'm looking forward to working alongside the many talented and hardworking members of the SBPA to protect and promote the beer and pub sectors in Scotland." “We now have a re-opening plan to work towards and pubs and breweries across Scotland will be pleased that at last we are getting some clarity, but we still face huge challenges, not least with the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill currently progressing through Parliament. If passed it will have a devastating impact on tied pubs across Scotland and at a time when pubs need Parliament’s support more than ever.” Emma McClarkin, CEO of Scottish Beer and Pub Association said “I am delighted that Edith is joining us as President. It has never been a more pivotal time for breweries and pubs in Scotland as they face the huge task of rebuilding their businesses following a devastating year. So with Edith’s experience as an operator overseeing more than 100 pubs across Scotland, her guidance will be invaluable as we navigate going forward. I speak on behalf of all members when I say how grateful we are to Brian Davidson as his tenure as President comes to close, for championing pubs and breweries in Scotland on behalf of SBPA so passionately and effectively.”
16 March 2021
The Scottish Beer & Pub Association, the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today welcomed the announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon but believe it falls short of what is required by the sector. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: “Scotland’s pubs have been desperately waiting for some positive news, and today’s announcement is definitely a step in the right direction, but many hospitality businesses will be left disappointed. No alcohol service indoors and closure at 8pm makes trading entirely unviable for many businesses, meaning the earliest they will be able to open is 17 May. “Operators across the country cannot wait to open the doors again and welcome customers back safely. Today’s announcement gives some hope, especially the expectation of mainland Scotland moving forward collectively but it still falls short on what many pubs and bars require. The announcement of a reopening grant is also to be welcomed, but we await the details. “The recovery period doesn’t fully begin until all restrictions have been removed, particular for wet pubs and late-night venues. We urge the Scottish Government to confirm as soon as possible the date in which all restrictions will be removed, until then many businesses will be forced to sit and wait.”
16 March 2021
SBPA highlights ongoing damage lockdown is causing to pubs The Scottish Beer & Pub Association, the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today revealed that Scotland’s pubs will miss out on selling 1.4 million pints this St Patrick’s Day due to the fact they remain forced closed due to the lockdown. Pubs across Scotland also remain unable to sell takeaway beer this St Patrick’s Day too, due to lockdown restrictions that mean they can only sell food for takeaway. It means those looking to celebrate St Patrick’s Day cannot do so with a takeaway pint of draught beer from their local. According to the SBPA, the loss of sales from St Patrick’s Day alone will result in the trade losing out on £5.2 million that would have been crucial to the sectors recovery. The SBPA said that it was a great shame people were still unable to visit their local to mark such a celebratory occasion in the calendar. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: “A pint in the pub on St Patrick’s Day is always a joyous occasion, but sadly this year it will not happen. Hundreds of thousands of pub goers across Scotland will be devastated they cannot enjoy a cold one at their local. It’s a real disappointment for our pubs too, who will miss out on what would’ve been a big boost to their trade and at a much-needed time too. Instead, they will miss out on selling some 1.4 million pints. That’s £5.2 million in trade that would have been warmly welcomed by them. We urgently need to get the pub reopen and operating without restrictions so the recovery can truly begin.”
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.”