Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“We met with the Chancellor today to underline the challenges the industry face and the critical importance of extending the energy relief support to avoid significant business failure and the closure of many pubs and brewers. Without extended support at close to current levels, pubs and brewers in communities across the country could be lost for good.
“Energy costs are the single biggest threat to our industry right now. The failure to safeguard pubs and breweries from price increases come April will be the last straw for businesses who have been struggling for three years to remain solvent and serving their communities.
“We urge the Chancellor to extend the scheme or risk losing businesses across the UK that mean so much to so many.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199
Notes to editors:
- In a report by Frontier Economics released at the end of 2022, produced for the British Beer and Pub Association, calculations showed energy bills returning to their regular rate post-March would put pubs and brewers at a loss of 20% on average. More on this data.
- Announcement from HMT this afternoon: https://hmtreasury-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/readout-of-the-chancellor-jeremy-hunts-discussion-with-business-leaders
About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents UK companies which between them brew over 90% of the beer sold in the UK and own 20,000 pubs.
Our members include international companies, national and local brewers and pub businesses operating managed and tenanted pubs in cities, towns and villages across the country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities and local economies and include family businesses who have been brewing beer and running pubs for hundreds of years alongside emerging brewers and pub operators.
- The UK’s beer and pub industry supports close to 940,000 jobs
- The industry adds £26.2billion to the UK’s economy each year
Press release from the BBPA.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199.