Restrictions have been put on pubs across the UK, including curfews, limits on the numbers of customers they can serve, a requirement to offer table service only, bans on events and live music, local lockdowns and other localised restrictions, and total bans on serving alcohol indoors.

As expected, the Government has now made further announcements, extending some additional support to businesses affected by local lockdowns and a small expansion of the Job Support Scheme.

This simply won’t be enough to save our locals from extinction.

Pubs are experiencing a massive loss of income, consumer confidence has fallen and beer sales are down. The sector faces targeted restrictions and so needs targeted financial support.

While the pace of changes make it difficult to predict what will happen in the coming months, it is estimated we could see the permanent closure of around 10,000 pubs and the loss of around 290,000 jobs if action is not taken. We are also seeing the closure of 2 small independent breweries a week. Areas which have local lockdowns, or other additional rules for hospitality businesses will be hit even harder.

We are now calling on the Government to introduce a proper support package for all pubs and brewers, regardless of if they are closed as part of local restrictions, which includes :-

• Cancellation of the business rates for another year

• A new wave of grants to support pubs which would be viable were it not for the current restrictions

• Action to tackle the rents crisis facing the sector

• A bespoke jobs support scheme that applies to the whole sector

It is vital that pubs and brewers receive comprehensive support - the future of the sector depends on it. We are asking everyone to sign and share an e-lobby, which will let them email their MPs urging them to take action and ask the Government directly to support pubs, clubs and breweries. You don’t have to be a CAMRA member to take part, so we want to make sure our campaign reaches as many people as possible. You can find it here :-

https://camra.e-activist.com/page/68352/action/1