Pubs ‘to lose £5m in sales during England v Ukraine due to Covid restrictions’

Coronavirus restrictions mean pubs are set to lose over £5 million in sales during England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final match, a trade body has said.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said over 1.5 million fewer pints will be sold during the Three Lions’ fixture against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday than if there were no restrictions.

Under current coronavirus restrictions in England, pub customers must follow the rule of six, or two households, when in groups, observe social distancing and consume food and alcohol at tables.

The BBPA said a number of its members have seen Saturday bookings cancelled in the run up to the match, also reporting that beer sales are lower than they had hoped from the Euros games shown so far.

However, it conceded that up to 6 million pints will be sold during the game if England fans do watch it in a pub, with up to 19 million pints on the whole day.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “Restrictions on pubs are continuing to bite and because of this any boost pubs had hoped for from the Euros has been greatly weakened.

“We expect pubs to sell 1.5 million fewer pints during the match because of the restrictions. Pubs will lose out on £5 million from that alone, which could be the difference to survival or closure for some.

“As fans will not be able to attend the next match in Rome due to Covid restrictions, I urge England fans to support the team – and our pubs – by watching the game at their local where they can.

“With England fans’ support, we hope that pubs will sell 6 million pints during the game itself. While that is far less than it would have been if restrictions were lifted, our pubs need all the support they can get right now.”

Published: 02/07/2021 by Radio NewsHub