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23rd May 2025

Pubs Spring into gear as Bank Holidays and VE Day boost sales, new BBPA figures show 

  • 14 million additional pints to be consumed in May thanks to Bank Holidays and VE Day, boosting economy by an extra £69million
  • May bumper sales welcome for the sector following huge new costs that landed in April
  • BBPA calls on Government to review harsh EPR fees reform business rates so sector can boost growth, jobs, and investment

A bumper May with two bank holidays and VE Day will see an estimated 14 million extra pints sold in pubs compared to a month without, the BBPA estimates.

VE Day itself is estimated to have brought in up to one million extra pints sold in pubs thanks in part to the licensing hours extension which allowed them to stay open until 1am.

The additional pints mean the sector could deliver an extra £69 million in sales for the economy and generate £11.5 million in VAT and £6.5 million in beer duty compared to a month with no bank holidays or VE Day.

The boost comes as the sector wrestles with a barrage of extra tax and fees following the April cliff-edge which is costing the industry an extra £853 million, the BBPA said.

The new statistics come after the BBPA revealed the average price of a pint has broken the £5 barrier for the first time, partly due to rising costs placed upon the sector.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: 

“Many of us chose to spend our local pub, a home away from home, as the perfect location to spend the sunny long weekends and to celebrate VE Day.

“These figures demonstrate how vital such occasions are to our sector, which is battling new costs including higher business rates bills, unfair and chaotic packaging fees, and soaring new employment costs.

“Following the avalanche of new fees in April which saw new costs hit the industry, the BBPA is calling on the Government to ease the burdens placed upon the sector.

“We urge the Government to support our sector by reforming business rates, reviewing punishing EPR costs, and mitigating new employment fees so that it can continue to drive the UK economy’s growth and supporting local jobs.”

The BBPA is urging the Government to do this by permanently rebalancing the business rate system, reviewing chaotic EPR costs, mitigating new employment fees, and ensuring the Employment Rights Bill doesn’t remove flexibility for the sector.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The uplift is estimated using CGA managed pub beer sales volume data from May 2024 applied to BBPA monthly beer sales volume data.

The BBPA estimates that the additional sales are due to the Bank Holidays and VE Day and associated extended licensing hours, compared to sales if there had not been these public holidays and extension.

About the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA):

We are the UK’s leading trade association representing pubs and breweries. Our members brew 90% of British beer and own nearly half of UK pubs.

We are the voice of pubs and brewers, offering insight and policy thinking to government, political stakeholders and media alike to help ensure that there is an in-depth understanding of both the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector and the policy solutions to bring about the optimal fiscal and policy framework that will underpin a thriving pub and brewing sector in the UK.


If you have any questions or would like to be in touch you can reach us on 020 7627 9173 or via email on press@beerandpub.com

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