Pub beer sales drop again in first quarter of year

By John Harrington

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Alcoholic beverage Beer British beer & pub association

Beer sales dropped again in the first quarter of 2013
Beer sales dropped again in the first quarter of 2013
Beer sales in UK pubs fell 5.5% in Q1 against the same period last year, the equivalent of 49.8m fewer pints sold across the three months.

New figures from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) show that overall beer sales dropped 2.9% in the quarter. Sales in the off-trade actually grew slightly, up 0.1%.

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: “The figures show the Chancellor was right to cut beer duty and abolish the escalator, given the huge tax rises in recent years. We would hope to see the benefits in second quarter sales, where brewers, pubs and pubgoers will see beer tax rates at nearly seven per cent lower than they were due to be.

“Beer has a very special place in pubs, and accounts for 68% of pub drinks’ sales. The duty cut has seen brewers and pub companies passing on the reduction to customers. It will encourage brewers and pubs to invest and create jobs.

“Other measures in the Budget will also help pubs, and are a further recognition that the Government understands the importance of our sector. The changes to National Insurance were particularly helpful, as the pub trade largely comprises small businesses and employs around 600,000 people directly.”

Andrew Griffiths MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said: “These figures show just how important it is that the Treasury supports the brewing industry.

"By scrapping the beer duty escalator and cutting beer duty for the first time since 1959, I am sure the Coalition Government is giving the brewing industry a shot in the arm and that this will lead to growth in the sector in the future.”

Related topics Beer

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