Pubs waste 87 million pints of beer since pandemic started, costing £331m

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has today revealed that up to 87 million pints of beer could have been wasted since the coronavirus pandemic started.

At an average cost per pint of £3.81 in a pub, this would mean pubs have lost £331m in revenue on beer that they have been forced to destroy as they could not sell it because of lockdowns and tier restrictions.

The trade association said that this is revenue that would usually pay for hundreds of thousands of jobs in pubs and breweries across the UK, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of pubs in communities.

It is urging the government to continue to provide support to the sector in the coming months if pubs continue to stay closed. With the Budget expected in March, it is urging chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the VAT cut for hospitality and the business rates holiday, as well as cut beer duty for when pubs reopen.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “With a Budget coming up in March, we are urging the chancellor to continue to support our sector in what we hope are the final months of this crisis.

“If pubs remain closed beyond March, further grants need to be delivered to them and brewers. Without this, neither pubs or brewers will be around to brew and serve beer when we can reopen.

“Stimulus support is also going to be essential for our sector to kick-start again and lead the economic recovery. The VAT cut for hospitality, while welcome, has not been used as the sector has been closed. It must be extended. Likewise, the business rates holiday must be extended as pubs do not have the cash to pay it now because they have been closed.”

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