The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, has today responded to the announcement that COVID-19 restrictions will not be lifted before 19 July.
The BBPA has said the continuation of restrictions will cost pubs a further £200 million. That is £100m for each week of ongoing restrictions.
The delay to lifting restrictions from June 21st to the present day has already cost pubs £200m, meaning in total the delay in the removal of all restrictions until 19 July will cost pubs £400m.
The BBPA says there can be no further delays to the full reopening of pubs and that it is crucial all restrictions are lifted on July 19th.
Emma McClarkin, BBPA's Chief Executive, said, “Although continuation of the restrictions until July 19th is not a surprise, it is still a tough decision for our sector to swallow.
“The restrictions staying in place for at least a further two weeks will cost our pubs £200 million in these weeks alone.
'In reality though, it will cost much more as confidence in our sector continues to remain low heading into the summer season so critical to our sector’s viability, as well as with the Euros on which normally would be a far bigger boost to our sector.
“Each week the restrictions stay in place, the likelihood of pubs being lost forever increases.'
McClarkin finished, “It is crucial that all restrictions are now lifted on July 19th. Any further delay beyond July 19th would be catastrophic for our sector.”