Decline in beer volumes slowed in 2011

View 12 postsBy John Harrington , 23-Jan-2012

The decline in on-trade beer volumes slowed last year to the lowest rate since 2004, with sales falling 3.4%, according to the latest Beer Barometer from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Approximately 139m fewer pints were served and c.9,000 jobs were lost in the sector during the year, according to the BBPA.
Total beer volumes fell 3.5%, with beer sales down 1.4% in Q4 2011, compared to a 4.6% fall on the same period in 2010. Off-trade beer volumes fell 3.7% in 2011, the equivalent of 136m pints.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “The decline in beer sales has slowed, but these figures show the sector cannot afford another round of inflation-busting, beer tax hikes in the Budget. This will delay any potential recovery in an iconic and economically vital British industry.
“A change of course, giving brewers and pubs a chance to invest and expand their operations, could create over five thousand jobs in 2012, which should be a great year for British beer and pubs with the Queen’s Jubilee, Euro 2012, the Olympics and Paralympics.
"These events could provide a real boost for the UK economy and boost employment - but this will only be possible if the Government reverses planned tax increases and damaging over-regulation.”

View 12 posts

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