Pubs to miss out on £325m in Easter beer sales
The Government must not deviate from its reopening roadmap, which will see pubs reopen inside and out from Monday 17 May, the BBPA insisted.
Over this Easter bank holiday (Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April) weekend, pubs will lose out on £325m in trade from beer sales alone due to the third lockdown.
Licensees have also hit back at the takeaway pint ban, which will only be lifted when beer gardens reopen from 12 April.
Takeaway ban
The ban persists despite groups of up to six people being permitted to socialise outdoors, where they will be able to purchase alcohol from supermarkets.
It is the second Easter holiday that pubs have been closed, following over a year of shutdowns and trading restrictions since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
The BBPA said it was critical pubs were allowed to trade without restrictions, as per the roadmap, from Monday 21 June.
It comes as the industry voiced its opposition to suggestions that vaccine passports could be used for pubs to operate without social distancing measures.
Second year running
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “A visit to the pub over Easter is one of life’s simple pleasures, but sadly for the second year in a row our pubs remain forced shut.
“Millions of pubgoers will be missing out on a trip to their local for a cold beer and pub dinner, as well as valuable time spent in the company of others.
“It’s a major disappointment for pubs and publicans too, who cannot wait to reopen for their communities and for who the Easter trade would be a major boost."
The continued closure of pubs was "particularly sad" given the good weather this weekend, meaning beer gardens would have benefited from pub goers wanting to enjoy a pint in the sun, said McClarkin.
“It is imperative the Government’s roadmap to reopening in England does not get delayed," she added. "We hope our pubs will be able to start reopening outdoors from Monday 12 April and from there on it is key the roadmap is stuck to and pubs are fully reopened without restrictions by Monday 21 June.”
