News round-up: Vaccine passports for clubs confirmed and ongoing supply issues

• ​Gov’s plans to press on with vaccine passports for clubs ‘will cause enormous disruption’

The Government revealing it will continue with its plans to enforce vaccine passports for nightclubs​​ has resulted in figures from the sector warning about the impact this will have on the industry.

Earlier this week (Tuesday 31 August), Downing Street confirmed clubgoers will need to provide proof of vaccination for entry to clubs from the end of September.

An official spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “We set out broadly our intention to require our vaccination for nightclubs and some other settings and we’ll be coming forward in the coming weeks with details for that.”

• Star Pubs & Bars to pump £38m into its estate

Heineken’s pub arm Star Pubs & Bars has announced a £38m programme​​, targeted at benefiting almost a third of its portfolio by the end of this year.

The scheme will benefit 700 local pubs across England and Wales, creating an estimate 500 new jobs. It builds on Heineken UK’s £62m investment in rent reductions during the pandemic.

The pub company revealed almost 80 pubs will receive major makeovers, costing between £125,000 and £400,000 each.

It will focus on creating premium locals in suburban and high street locations within a 10-minute walk from residential areas

• JDW latest pub group to be hit by beer delivery issues

Pub group JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is the latest company to be impacted by beer delivery delays to some of its pubs​.

A snap poll of The Morning Advertiser ​​(MA​​) readers last month (August), revealed 80% were experiencing beer delivery delays​​.

While 8% of the 120 participants stated they weren’t having any problems, a further 13% also said they weren’t but were anticipating issues in the future.

The MA ​​understands on average, JDW normally sells 23 different beer brands on draught in each of its pubs.

JDW spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We are experiencing some supply problems with both Carling and Coors, which means some pubs do not have the products available.

A spokesperson for Molson Coors Beverage Company, which owns the Carling and Coors brands said like many in the sector, it had been hit by the HGV driver shortage.

•​ Draymen pay dispute settled

A pay dispute from 1,000 beer delivery drivers has now been settled​ after they voted in favour of accepting a higher pay offer.

Unite members voted by an 80% majority on a 94% turnout to accept the new offer of 4% from GXO for this year.

A ​​GXO spokesperson said the company was pleased to have reached an agreement with all parties involved.

• LIVE: Half of night-time operators impacted by security shortages

A flash poll of 2,000 operators in the late-night sector, conducted by the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) revealed more than 50% of hospitality operators are being affected by security shortages​.

Furthermore, it revealed up to a fifth (20%) of businesses are closing or having to operate on reduced hours to licensing