CAMRA wants a ‘summer of pub’

In a letter to pub managers, CAMRA vice-chairman Abigail Newton said she hopes to see as many people as possible visit their local to take part in a “feel-good programme of events”.

She said: “We can all agree that pubs are a force for good, so we want to involve as much of the industry as possible in shouting the message loud and clear this summer.”

The organisation has created digital branding around events including the Women’s World Cup, Beer Day Britain and the Great British Beer Festival. 

It will be promoting pubs’ events to its members and the wider public through its website and social media platforms.

Pub companies are also being encouraged to use the Summer of Pub logo and messaging.

Football fever

Newton continued: “With the Women’s World Cup this year, we want to see more pubs than ever showing matches and trying to emulate the successful impact that last year’s men’s tournament had on the trade.

“We will also be raising a pint on Beer Day Britain (15 June), organising a national thank you to publicans around the Great British Beer Festival and turning the late May and August bank holidays into PUBlic holidays for our launch and close to the summer.”

Pubs can get involved by downloading promotional material and signing up as a participant on the CAMRA website​.

Ben Wilkinson, CAMRA national director said: “We want to remind the public what makes our nation’s pubs so special. We want to encourage people to give the TV a break this summer and help them rediscover the unbeatable social network that is their local.

"The clearest way we can all demonstrate how much we value our community pubs and want them to remain part of the social fabric of our country is by using them.”

Pub Minister Jake Berry said he was pleased to support the campaign.

He said: "The ‘local’ is where people enjoy a pint, relax and spend time with one another, whether it is watching their team win, sampling their favourite beverage or hosting a charity fundraiser.

“The UK also boasts some of the world’s best rural pubs, which are increasingly diversifying. Many are doing so with help from Pub is the Hub, which is supported by the Government to provide new, or replace lost, community services in rural areas.

"The Government recently announced a round of funding totalling £188,000 for Pub is the Hub to deliver community services alongside their drinks; from allotments, post offices and shops to children’s play areas and cinemas."

“CAMRA’s Summer of Pub is all about the idea that locals aren’t just places to drink, they provide space for socialising, events and they create thousands of jobs. It is important that they continue to be able to do so and this summer is a perfect opportunity to go and explore what your community pub has to offer.”

Last summer saw an uplift in beer sales as football fans headed to pubs to watch England’s unexpected progress in the World Cup and the weather stayed warm for months.

However, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) warned that this success could be hard to follow this year​.