Webinar, featuring guest speaker Danny Kruger MP, will take place at 11am Tuesday 20th April Localis and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, are to both host a webinar titled “The Power of Pubs”, which will discuss the role of pubs in levelling up the UK and preserving their recovery. Taking place at 11am on Tuesday 20th April, the webinar will feature a panel debate between guests Danny Kruger MP, Ed Bedington (Editor of the Morning Advertiser) and Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the BBPA, amongst others. It follows a report published by Localis and sponsored by the BBPA of the same title, which explores the role pubs can play in levelling up the UK and how to preserve their economic and social contribution to UK society in their recovery. Topics covered in the panel discussion debate will include: What is the role of our pubs in ‘levelling up’? As a vital base of the ‘foundational’ economy, how should government plans for growth, skills and regeneration support what is a robust labour market for a young and diverse employee base over the coming decade? How could the industry best work with local authorities and communities to ensure the ‘pub is the hub’ for a wide range of social purposes that promote cohesion and inclusion? The webinar is open to all and to attend. In order to attend, guests will need to register via Eventbrite. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “The Pandemic has fractured our communities and frayed our social ties. As we rebuild our trade and reconnect communities once more, now is the time to discuss the vital role our pubs can play in building back better. “I encourage anyone working in the beer and pub industry to join our webinar.” Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive of Localis, said: “The case for treating Britain’s pubs with fair consideration in exiting lockdown measures is, at core, as simple as it is heartfelt. Where there’s a pub, there’s a community. “As one of the biggest contributors to the UK economy, the sector has a vital role to play in the recovery and levelling up journey of the country as well as in maintaining community cohesion and social resilience well beyond the pandemic.” A full link to the webinar Eventbrite registration page is available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-power-of-pubs-protecting-social-infrastructure-and-levelling-up-tickets-148583207373 A copy of the “Power of Pubs” report is available here: https://beerandpub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Localis.pdf For more information on the report, please see here: https://beerandpub.com/2021/03/09/use-the-power-of-the-pub-to-level-up-localis-report-urges/
Trade association says measures would be “kicking pubs when they are down” The British Beer & Pub Association, the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today responded to reports of leaked Government proposals for calorie labelling on pints of beer in pubs. Responding to the reports, Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Proposals to force calorie labelling on pints sold in pubs are ludicrous – and especially outrageous at this difficult time. After more than a year of being forced to close fully or operate under severe loss-making restrictions, now is not the time to heap burdensome and expensive regulation on our pubs. “Our pubs are on their knees and the Government already knows this. Calorie labelling would be kicking pubs and brewers when they are down. “We have very serious concerns on the impact these proposals would have on the sector and on consumers. “The British people have had months without going to their local. It has been tough mentally and socially. Let them enjoy it again and let our businesses rebuild. We must remember that after so much enforced isolation, the pub has an important role to play in tackling loneliness and improving mental health.”
BBPA reveals huge investment sector has made in leased and tenanted pubs ahead of outdoor reopening from April 12th The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today revealed that pub operating businesses have invested more than £285 million in supporting their leased and tenanted publicans as they prepare to reopen once more from April 12th. The investment came in the form of rent and other costs waived or reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and is in on top of significant financial support to help ensure pubs are Covid-secure and can start to re-open outdoors on Monday. The investment used to help makes sure pubs are Covid-secure and can reopen outdoors on Monday includes marquees and tepees in pub gardens that meet Government guidelines, along with outdoor heaters and outdoor beer pumps and fridges. These will ensure outdoor space is safe, comfortable and hospitality for customers, as well as efficient in terms of service. The BBPA has said the £285 million invested by pub operating businesses in their pubs across the UK showed the commitment to securing the future of their partners’ pubs and the sector as a whole. With the right support from Government and the ability to trade fully from 21st June, tenanted and leased pubs have a strong future, they can be a key engine for growth whilst remaining at the heart of their communities for years to come, the BBPA said. It also said the investment showed the benefits of the leased and tenanted model of pubs, which is a partnership model that allows entrepreneurs and pub-loving individuals the chance to successfully run their own pub business. It said the support given to leased and tenanted publicans during the crisis was unprecedented and had enabled thousands of pubs across the country to survive the crisis, which without the support could have been lost forever. The trade association says the Government must now recognise the investment the pub industry has made in its pubs, ahead of their reopening from April 12th, by continuing to support the long term recovery of UK pubs and address the disproportionate tax burden faced, through permanently lower VAT rates extended to all food and drink, a cut in beer duty and Business Rates reform. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Our sector is enormously proud of the investment we have made in our pubs and publicans. £285 million invested in our leased and tenanted pubs shows we are ready to get back open for business. It also shows we have supported our publicans through every step of this crisis. “It has also freed up our publicans to invest in their pubs as they look to start reopening outdoors from April 12th. “It is evidence of the strength of the leased and tenanted pub model. A model which has survived the ups and downs of hundreds of years and is now working to help the sector survive through the COVID-19 crisis. “We truly believe our pubs have a great future ahead of them, which is why at every level the sector is investing in them. Crucial to pubs’ recovery though is ensuring the Government matches this investment by the industry with its own financial support. That means long term cuts to beer duty, VAT and business rates.” More info Leased and tenanted pubs are where pub owners invest in entrepreneurs who then run the pub as their own business, with low start-up costs, and by paying the pub owner lower fixed rent in exchange for the supply of beer/other drinks. The model ensures that risk and reward is shared by both the Landlord that owns the pub property and the Tenant pub landlord who runs the pub, which has resulted in thousands of pubs having the best chance possible to bounce back strongly after the Covid Pandemic. The leased and tenanted pub model is a partnership between pub owners and entrepreneurs, creating and running profitable and sustainable pub businesses that thrive within their local communities.
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.