Pubs lose 180 million pints in sales over the Christmas period

The bosses missed 180 million pints in sales over the Christmas period, the bosses warned after the government eased the Christmas lockdown but banned families from visiting the pub together.

According to the guidelines published on Tuesday, three households are allowed to form “Christmas bubbles” for five days during the festive period, visit each other and stay overnight.

However, you won’t be able to hit their bubbles in pubs, hotels, retail stores, theaters, or restaurants between December 23rd and 27th.

Pub bosses have beaten the government over the rules, calling it “treason” and warning that it could destroy the hospitality industry. The analysis suggests that individual pub landlords could lose £ 50,000 in pint sales.

The British Beer and Pub Association says at least 180 million fewer pints will be consumed in pubs in December as the rules and restrictions mean 90 percent of the venues cannot be profitable.

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin also warned that government policies could have a devastating impact on hospitality jobs.

Up to three households can gather for Christmas – but between December 23rd and 27th, they won’t be able to meet their Christmas bubbles in pubs, hotels, retail stores, theaters, or restaurants

In a statement, he said: “No one in the government appears to have experience running a business – and their current policies appear to be designed to lose a million hospitality jobs, leading to further job losses across the economy leads . ‘

The association has meanwhile written to Rishi Sunak demanding greater financial support while accusing the government of causing “unnecessary and irreversible pain” to the sector.

It has also requested that the evidence supporting the decision be fully disclosed.

General Manager Emma McClarkin said, “These Christmas plans mock the additional restrictions placed on pubs and the economic devastation they face this Christmas.

“How can it be that pubs cannot open properly while households in private surroundings can mingle?

‘Government data has consistently shown that door-to-door transmission is one of the highest, while hospitality when open is only 2% of Covid cases.

‘Pubs are a controlled, safe and regulated environment in which to socialize – in accordance with all government guidelines and with track and trace from the NHS. You are part of the solution to a safe and enjoyable Christmas, not the problem.

“It seems that the government has decided to inflict unnecessary pain and irreversible damage on our sector without releasing evidence alongside those decisions.”

The new Christmas Bubble Actions will run from Wednesday 23 December to Sunday 27 December, paving the way for families in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Travel across plains in England is permitted, as is travel between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

But a blow to the hotel industry, the Christmas bubbles may only meet in private houses, places of worship and in public spaces outdoors.

The rules for pubs, restaurants and other venues remain the same no matter which level they are in.

In tier 2 areas, this means that pubs can only sell alcohol if customers buy a substantial meal with their drinks. In Tier 3 zones, they can only sell take-away drinks.

UKHospitality executive director Kate Nicholls accused the government of “mixed thinking” about excluding hospitality businesses from the relaxed Christmas rules.

She said, “This is quickly becoming a pre-Christmas nightmare for hospitality. While no one disapproves of families who gather during the festive season, the safest place to do so would be a well-run and controlled hotel.

“It is certainly better when hotels are open and offer accommodation than when several households are cramped in a single house.”

Ms. Nicholls added, “If the government excludes these companies in these new rules, it will show mixed thinking and will cause even more damage to the sector so soon after the new tier restrictions are announced.

“Pubs should be seen as part of the solution to give people a well-deserved safe and enjoyable Christmas, especially given that mixing multiple households into households is an exponentially higher risk.”

Labor MP Emma Hardy, who represents Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, asked on Twitter: “Why can’t families hang out in a restaurant during the Christmas break? Our hospitality industry will not recover if it misses trading at this crucial time. ‘

Ms. Hardy said she asked the government questions asking for “evidence” to support the decision.

The new Christmas Bubble Actions will run from Wednesday December 23rd through Sunday December 27th, paving the way for families in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Ms. McClarkin argued that pubs should be “fully compensated” if they couldn’t open over Christmas.

“Christmas is the most important time of year for trading in our industry,” she added.

‘This year more than ever. Without them, thousands will not survive the winter if the government doesn’t do the right thing and steps in with financial support to help them. That means grants that fully cover your fixed costs, just like with the first lock.

“We all need a festive cheer after this tough year – and we want everyone to be able to safely enjoy a beer with family and friends in their local pub this Christmas.

“After all, Christmas won’t be the same if we can’t go to the local.”

Michael Kill, executive director of the Night Time Industries Association, said the government had “torn the vague vestiges of the Christmas spirit out of the hands of many companies in the sector.”

“The new restrictions coming next week and the relaxation of many businesses over Christmas, as well as the deliberate exclusion of the night economy from the Christmas schedules, have left many frustrated and angry with the lack of consideration for people and businesses,” said Kill.

He added, “The government just got it wrong. It is a terrible misjudgment for everyone at such an important time of year.

‘Our sector has worked incredibly hard with government departments to ensure our businesses are Covid Safe, only to be faced again with impractical restrictions for which there is no evidence base.

“We were purposely sacrificed so that other sectors could open during the holiday season.”

Boris Johnson is also under pressure from his own MPs over the new levels of coronavirus, which are due to be announced later in the week.

MPs have warned Mr Johnson that placing parts of the country under draconian Level 2 and 3 restrictions and causing a harmful new mutiny will be “catastrophic” for corporations.

Ministers insist that they wait for the latest local infection data to decide which brackets to put each area in. The breakdown is due to be released on Thursday.

But Whitehall sources said there would be very few districts in Tier One where indoor socializing will be allowed.

A source said it was “quite possible no one is in Tier One” when the latest Covid numbers were analyzed by Minister of Health Matt Hancock and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty on Wednesday.

Senior Conservatives say the “mood music” is that most places will be subject to the tougher levels – imposing severe restrictions on bars and restaurants, as well as restrictions on household mixing.

There have been complaints that the criteria for deciding on animal assignments are too vague and the geographic areas too broad. MPs and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have been lobbying to stay away from the toughest levels.

Alarming to Mr Johnson, the chairman of the mighty year 1922 said yesterday afternoon that he was “inclined” to oppose the measures in a vote next week.

Sir Graham Brady said he was concerned that the damage being done to the economy would “leave a legacy to live with for years to come”.

Mr Johnson confirmed the blanket lockdown in England will end as planned next Wednesday, but warned that the coronavirus curbs will have to stay in place until Easter despite more good news about vaccines.