Leading trade associations representing the UK’s pub and hospitality sectors have today written to the Chancellor, calling on him to invest in the future of the great British pub.
The letter sets out the immediate needs for financial support packages, the requirements for stimulating demand from the public as the sector continues to reopen, and the long-term reforms needed for hospitality businesses to flourish once more.
In a joint statement, the trade bodies said: “The employment, revenue and social value for communities provided by pubs will be vital to the recovery of our economy as we return to a new normal, however, with distancing measures in place, fewer customers and higher costs will severely impact the profitability and survival prospects of hospitality businesses.
Government has already recognised the importance of our sector to British society and the financial support provided over the closure period has been welcome. We now urgently need to extend that support along with the collaboration of industry leaders with Government, to ensure pubs can remain as the essential hubs of their communities.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
UKHospitality
UKHospitality is the trade body representing the UK’s hospitality sector, representing over 700 companies, operating around 70,000 venues in a sector that employs 3.2 million people
The body speaks on behalf of a wide range of leisure and ‘out-of-home’ businesses, from FTSE 100 enterprises to niche groups and independent single-site operators – covering pubs, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, contract catering, leisure parks, visitor attractions and coffee shops.
For further information, please contact:
Chris Banks, PR Manager, cbanks@ukhospitality.org.uk, 020 7404 7744
SIBA – the Society of Independent Brewers represents around 750 British Independent Brewers around the UK.
Contact is press@siba.co.uk and 07493883273
British Beer & Pub Association
The British Beer & Pub Association is the leading body representing Britain’s brewers and pub companies. The Association is more than a century old and was originally founded as the Brewers’ Society in 1904. Our members account for some 90 per cent of beer brewed in Britain today, and own around 20,000 of the nation’s pubs.
For further information, please contact:
David Wilson, Public Affairs Director: 07557 405815
Nick Lawrie, Digital Communications Manager: 07824 359 013
About CAMRA:
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is a not-for-profit consumer group with over 192,000 members that has been operating since 1971. Our vision is to have quality real ale and thriving pubs in every community.
Media Contact:
CAMRA Press Office:
press@camra.org.uk
01727 337863
Pub is the Hub
The pub should be the centre or hub of community life and can also provide essential services beyond the usual drinks, food or entertainment.
We are a not for profit organisation of specialist advisors for communities and licensees who are thinking of broadening their range of services.
We encourage communities, licensees, pub owners, breweries and the private sector to work together to match community priority needs with additional services which can be provided by the local pub and a good licensee.
For urgent press enquiries, please call Lisa Harlow on 07917 757860 or email lisa@lisaharlow.co.uk
British Institute of Innkeeping (BII)
The BII is the leading independent licensee support organisation for individuals working in hospitality, with over 9,000 individual members running premises across the UK – predominantly tenanted, leased, managed and freehold pubs.
The organisation provides integral helplines, online business support, and guidance on key industry issues, face-to-face networking opportunities and savings on a range of supply deals for its members. It is the only organisation of its kind to represent the individuals working at the front line of licensed retail.
For further information please contact:
Molly Davis, Head of Communications, molly.davis@bii.org, 07539 377752