The Isle of Wight branch of the Campaign for Real Ale fears that ongoing trading restrictions and the threat of localised lockdowns could begin to bite in 2021, putting local breweries and pubs at risk.
This year’s Good Beer Guide warns of the impact of COVID-19 could have on the pub and brewing industry, as the national brewery numbers decline for the first time in nearly 2 decades. However, CAMRA IoW is not aware of any brewery closures locally with most weathering the COVID storm so far.
Nationally, the 2021 Guide has found the total number of independent UK breweries has dipped from 1,823 in 2019 to 1,816 in 2020 – the first time CAMRA’s guide has recorded a decline in numbers since the explosion in UK breweries started in 2008.
While most of the recorded decline will be from data captured pre-COVID-19, the trends in breweries no longer producing raises concerns the real impact of COVID has yet to be felt.
CAMRA is currently calling on the Government to go further with its support package, arguing that it has not been able to mitigate the damage done to a sector that has been scarred by ongoing restrictions and curfews.
CAMRA’s National Chairman, Nik Antona says:
“Many pubs and breweries have fought hard and the majority have survived the first lockdown, but it’s clear the industry was already in a vulnerable position when COVID-19 hit. Since then, breweries have all but been forgotten about, and may even be hit with higher taxes as the Government considers changes to Small Brewers Relief. “This is a pivotal time that could make or break the industry. Our pubs and breweries are going to need significant long-term support and funding throughout the coming months to survive. Otherwise, I expect to see substantial closures in future editions of our Guide.”
The Good Beer Guide is the Campaign for Real Ale’s premier publication, featuring the very best pubs in which to find a great pint across the UK. Despite being hampered by a national lockdown and ongoing restrictions, thousands of independent volunteers have worked together to compile this year’s entries, helping to identify significant trends and themes locally and nationally.
Brian Jacobs, Press Officer of the Isle of Wight Branch adds:
“These are clearly exceptional times and require exceptional effort and patience. It might not be possible to just walk into a pub for a pint or a meal for some time, and you might have to queue or make a booking. No one likes this, as it’s contrary to the whole ethos of public houses, but we do urge pub-goers to carry on making the effort to visit pubs because now, more than ever, we need the companionship they offer and to know that our favourite pub will still be there to offer it when this crisis is over.
“Likewise, we urge pub owners, landlords and managers to be as flexible and accommodating as possible when dealing with customers to ensure that they don’t deter people from continuing to use their services”.
Pubs = Alcohol = Drunks = No Social Distancing. Bye Bye.