Brigid Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, comments:
“With so much more paid for broadcast rights than last time, this deal must not lead to a huge increase in prices for pubs.
“Pubs need a more competitive pricing policy, as well as alternative providers. Live sport is a key part of the pub for millions of customers, and publicans have endured huge price hikes from Sky, year after year. This has been on top of other huge pressures, such as a 42 per cent hike in Beer Tax in the last four years.
“We will continue to raise our concerns over prices with both Ofcom and with the company itself.”
For further information please contact:
David Wilson, Director of Public Affairs: 020 7627 9151/ 07557 436 033
Neil Williams, Communications Manager: 020 7627 9156 / 07974 249 779
Notes to editors:
The British Beer & Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 96 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK and around half of Britain’s 51,000 pubs.