Pubs to lose out on 750k pint sales during England v Czech Republic
The figure comes from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), which wanted to highlight the impact of operating limits on trade during the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament.
While England fans are expected to buy around 3m pints later, restrictions including social distancing and the rule of six will severely limit capacity in pubs.
The trade will lose out on a revenue of more than £3m today (Tuesday 22 June), the BBPA estimated.
These takings would have been essential to aiding venues’ recovery from months of enforced shutdown since March 2020, the trade body said.
Overall, 6m pints will be sold today with half being sold during the football match, according to the BBPA.
Counting the days
BBPA boss Emma McClarkin called for no further delays to the full reopening of the sector and said all restrictions must be removed on Monday 19 July.
“We are counting down the days to freedom for our pubs,” she added.
McClarkin said: “We expect Brits to buy 3m pints when in the pub watching England versus the Czech Republic.
“While that is a good boost to typical trade on a Tuesday, it will be 750,000 fewer pints sold than if pubs were operating without any restrictions. So the restrictions will cost pubs over £3m on Tuesday alone.
Social distancing
“No standing and limits on group sizes, as well as social distancing, are severely reducing the number of people who can enjoy the Euros at the pub.”
Writing for The Morning Advertiser, Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing described the “stark reality” of operating under Covid restrictions while showing the football games.
She described the revenue potential of the recent Wales v Italy game as “severely hampered” with only 24 people permitted inside.
“I could have filled the bar four times over, hearing the tills ringing four-fold. Instead because of social distancing, no standing, and the rule of six, sadly 24 it is.”
