Robinsons first announced it was cancelling domestic and business rents for four weeks and then it suspended all direct debits and froze repayments of loans and interest charges.
It also confirmed it will replace all draught beer and cider, which goes out of date during this crisis with fresh stock.
The Cheshire operator is aiming to continue to communicate with its 240 tenanted pubs through email, phone and its licensees’ Facebook group.
Tough times
Managing directors Oliver and William Robinson said: “The board and executive team have taken a voluntary pay cut and we are down to a skeleton team on full pay at the brewery and packaging centre with the rest of the business receiving 80% of their normal salary, most of them since 23 March.
“There are tough times ahead but we have not had to make any redundancies so far and we intend to look after our people through this.
“We are incredibly proud of our great licensees and staff for the resilience they have shown as we enter uncharted waters.”
Plan to emerge
The bosses went on to say how there is a team spirit throughout the business and said Robinsons was nothing without great people and great pubs.
They added: “We look forward to getting back to doing what we are good at. In addition, the brewery continues to brew and package beer for export and a vibrant off-trade. We support many brewers with production and packaging, as long as it is safe to do so, we plan to continue supporting our brands and others.
“Also, unlike some others, we also took the decision to pay suppliers in full at the end of March, repaying their support for us over the years.
“We’ve survived two world wars and plan to emerge from this in good shape and surrounded by great customers, suppliers and licensees.”
