Pubs feeling the impact of CO2 shortage as pumps run dry

Pubs are beginning to feel the effects of the CO2 shortage, with supplies of some beers and ciders running low.

JD Wetherspoon has said some of its 900 venues are without draught John Smith's and Strongbow cider.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson said: "Wetherspoon has the advantage that it sources its wide range of drinks from a number of suppliers, so has not been too badly affected.

"Heineken has been the company with the biggest issues and they have told us that all is getting back to normal.

"Overall Wetherspoon pubs still offering wide range of drinks with just a few exceptions."

A Heineken spokesman added: "We'd like to reassure beer drinkers that all our breweries are operating at full capacity, and we're working 24/7 to get beers to our customers as quickly as possible."

Meanwhile wholesaler Booker has limited the amount of beer, cider and soft drinks customers can purchase.

The Tesco-owned company is rationing customers to 10 cases of beer or five cases of cider or soft drinks per purchase.

The shortage has also caused concern among livestock processors, who use CO2 to stun animals.

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