The BBPA has today responded to research published by UKinbound, which shows the Government’s proposed post-Brexit immigration system will have a detrimental impact on pubs. The research stated 70% of pubs are likely to experience a significant skill shortage if a £30,000 salary threshold is introduced for EU workers. Pubs are already facing a skills shortage and a survey of BBPA members across the UK showed that brewing and pubs employ 17% of their workforce from overseas, but this rises to 40% in metropolitan areas and in some areas such as kitchen staff, up to 80%. The BBPA has previously called for a review of the £30,000 threshold for migrant workers. This review needs to recognise that the current average chef salary is lower than £30,000. Furthermore, the BBPA have also previously called on the Migration Advisory Committee to extend the Shortage Occupation List to include chef-de-partie and kitchen porter roles. The BBPA have also previously asked the Government to set lower salary threshold, less than £30,000 for Tier 2 migrant workers, which the BBPA argues will help the pub sector recruit the chefs. The BBPA has also welcomed the proposal from UKinbound of quarterly independent reviews to ensure tourism sectors are not adversely affected to changes in immigration policy. Andy Tighe, Policy Director at the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “This research clearly shows why UK pubs are right to be concerned about the impact of a £30,000 salary threshold for EU workers. The pub sector is working hard to attract more UK nationals to work in our industry, which the Tourism Sector Deal helps to achieve. However, it is vital that a post-Brexit migration system works for Britain’s pubs.”
Greene King has rejoined the British Beer & Pub Association, the leading trade association representing Britain’s brewers and pubs. One of the UK’s biggest pub retailers, Greene King has over 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK. It has rejoined the BBPA as a member after 10 years. As part of its membership to the BBPA, Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie will sit on the board of the trade association. The British Beer & Pub Association’s members account for some 90 per cent of beer brewed in Britain today and own around 20,000 of the nation’s pubs. They include international companies, family brewers, managed locals and the nation’s largest tenanted pub estates. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “We are delighted to have Greene King back on-board as a member of the British Beer & Pub Association and for Nick Mackenzie, their Chief Executive, to be joining our Board. As passionate supporters of the beer and pub trade, I know Greene King will play a key role in helping us campaign for the wellbeing of the sector.” Nick Mackenzie, Chief Executive of Greene King, said: “As a leading British pub company and brewer we are keen to play an active role championing the industry, promoting its unique role in communities across the country. We are looking forward to working with the BBPA and its members to support its important work on the many challenges facing the sector and ensure it has a bright future.”
Brakspear, Carlsberg UK, Craft Union Pub Company, Adnams and Brigid Simmonds scooped up the honours at this year’s British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) Annual Awards, presented at the BBPA’s Annual Dinner in London; a celebration of Britain’s beer and pub industry. The awards, which have been run by the BBPA for the last eight years, celebrate and showcase the very best achievements and innovations of the beer and pub industry. The winners triumphed in five categories; Pub Champion (sponsored by Molson Coors), Heart of the Community (sponsored by Diageo), Beer Champion, the Chairman’s award and the Sustainability award (sponsored by C&C Group) – a new category for 2019. Each winner was presented with their award by BBPA Chairman and Chief Executive of Fuller, Smith & Turner, Simon Emeny. Pub Champion Award Winner: Brakspear Brakspear received the Pub Champion award for their comprehensive support programme for all their tenants and lessees, which includes advice and help from business development managers, marketing and promotional professionals and an interior design service. Brakspear’s entry also highlighted initiatives it had made to help its pubs strengthen their positions in their communities, from creating beers at its brewery that are only sold in individual pubs, to even making bespoke pairs of socks for loyal pub customers! Heart of the Community Award Winner: Craft Union Pub Company Craft Union Pub Company received the Heart of the Community award in recognition of the 628 individual charity events specific to local communities its pubs put on between August 2018 and July 2019. In total, these community-led events raised over £344,000 for hundreds of local charities. The Craft Union Pub Company entry also highlighted its “Love Your Local” campaign, which asked customers why they love their particular local. Winning entries were then awarded donations worth £500 for local charities of their choice, bringing a direct benefit to the local community. Beer Champion Award Winner: Carlsberg UK Carlsberg UK took the Beer Champion award for the rebrew and relaunch of their Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. The goal of the relaunch was to drive a reappraisal among consumers of Carlsberg through a low-budget, but bold and high-impact external marketing campaign. To achieve this successfully, however, Carlsberg UK knew it had to win the support of all 700 of its colleagues for the beer first through a powerful internal campaign. This internal campaign was managed in-house by the Carlsberg Danish Pilsner project team and the Corporate Affairs team, and successfully reinvigorated colleagues and drove engagement across the business. Sustainability Award Winner: Adnams Adnams received the Sustainability award in recognition of their commitment to putting sustainability and the environment at the heart of their business for several years. The Adnams award entry highlighted their complete sustainability story, which has seen Adnams reduce their carbon emissions by 48% since 2008 and improve their local biodiversity with over 500,000 rehomed honeybees. Adnams now send zero waste to landfill. Chairman’s Award Winner: Brigid Simmonds OBE Brigid Simmonds won the Chairman’s Award. Simmonds won the award in recognition of her ten years as Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, a role she is stepping down from on 11th October 2019. During her tenure, Brigid has led numerous successful campaigns, from reducing beer duty and transforming the reputation of our industry with Government, to encouraging social responsibility and working with members to enhance our reputation as a sector with consumers. Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Many congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all those who entered as well. The BBPA Annual Awards serve to highlight the continued achievements of brewers and pubs and we are very proud of what they do. “I am delighted to have won the Chairman’s Award. I have loved working for the BBPA for the last ten years and will always support the brewing and pub sector. As I said on the night, the success of the BBPA over the last ten years has been down to the full engagement and support of the Board, members and great team I have led.” Photos from the evening can be downloaded here.
We champion issues that matter to the beer and pub industry. These are causes our members are passionate about; whether it’s promoting beer as the nation’s drink, or campaigning against increases to beer duty and businesses rates that are so damaging to community pubs.