BBPA responds to latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners suggesting 6,000 licensed premises permanently closed in 2020 due to lockdown The British Beer & Pub Association, the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today responded to the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners published today suggesting that the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns forced 6,000 licensed premises to close for good in 2020, including pubs. Responding, Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “These figures show what a devastating year 2020 was for pubs. Our sector is far from out the woods yet though and it continues to fight for its very survival through the pandemic in 2021. We fear things could actually get much worse before they get better for our pubs and brewers. “Given this latest evidence showing how the COVID crisis and lockdown is ripping pubs away from their communities for good, it is more important than ever that the Government backs our local pubs and brewers. Pubs are the heart of our communities and have a vital role to play in the economic recovery. If they are to survive the current onslaught they face though they need backing from Government. “This means grants delivered to them immediately before it’s too late. It also means reopening properly along with a stimulus package that helps pubs to thrive including extensions to the Business Rates holiday and VAT cut, as well as a beer duty cut.”
BBPA pleads with Prime Minister to speed up delivery of grant payments to pubs The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today revealed that 3 in 4 wet led pubs (74%) are still yet to receive their Christmas grant promised to them by the Prime Minister at the beginning of December 2020. The Prime Minister personally announced the one-off grant, worth £1,000 per pub, to assist wet-led pubs forced to close through Christmas. Over a usual festive period, the average pub would make £47,000 in revenue – by far the biggest trading period of the year for the sector. However, as of January 2021, only 1 in 4 wet-led pubs (26%) have actually received the grants, according to a BBPA survey of its members. It means thousands of pubs (74% of wet-led pubs in England) eligible for the grant are still yet to receive them. The trade association has also revealed today that over half of the grants introduced to support pubs through the tier restrictions and November lockdown are still yet to be paid too. In the same survey of its members, the BBPA found that 46% of pubs are still yet to receive Local Restrictions Support Grants that were made available for pubs facing crippling tier restrictions and forced to close during the November lockdown. The trade association says the delay in the delivery of the grants has meant many pubs reliant on them for their very survival could have been lost for good already. It is urging the Prime Minister to personally intervene to ensure his promise of the £1,000 grant for pubs, as well as the Local Restrictions Support Grants made to support pubs through the tier systems and last lockdown, are delivered immediately. It is also asking that the Government and Local Authorities work more closely together to ensure future grants are delivered to pubs at pace. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Months have passed by yet still thousands of pubs are waiting on the grants they have been promised. “It is unbelievable that so many pubs are still waiting on their Christmas grants and grants for the second lockdown. Considering we are now in a third lockdown it is scandalous. “Publicans across the country are desperately checking their bank accounts every minute of every day to see if they have got their payment. Our sector is hanging by a thread, so for many pubs getting these grants is the difference between surviving or closing for good. “The Prime Minister personally promised some of these grants for wet-led pubs. We implore him to now intervene and ensure his promise is delivered. “It is completely unacceptable that it has even gotten to this stage where we are pleading with Government to deliver the support we’ve been promised by them. These grants are a vital lifeline, but only when delivered. “Government and Local Authorities must work more closely together to ensure future grants are delivered to pubs quickly.”
BBPA welcomes UK Supreme Court judgment meaning insurers will have to pay out on business interruption insurance The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today welcomed the UK Supreme Court’s judgement that insurers will have to payout on business interruption insurance. The BBPA has been very vocal and public in its support for the case to make insurers payout, which was led by the Financial Conduct Authority. A BBPA member survey back in May 2020 found that 56% of sector businesses had claims for Business Interruption cover rejected. Separate research from the British Institute of Innkeepers in the same period found that just 3% of pub businesses had been successful in receiving a Business Interruption insurance claim. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “This landmark ruling is great news for pubs and brewers who hadn’t received payouts on Business Interruption insurance thus far. It is a glimmer of hope in what is an incredibly tough time for our sector. “The lack of payouts over insurance claims has added to the terrible woes and uncertainty our sector has faced over the last 10 months. It is why the BBPA backed the FCA in its campaign to resolve the issue. “While our sector is far from out the woods yet, this announcement helps resolve some of the uncertainty it has faced on insurance cover and is warmly welcome.”
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.