LONDON – Almost three-quarters of UK pubs and restaurants expect to shut permanently next year following damaging coronavirus restrictions, an industry poll indicated today.
The British Beer and Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and UK Hospitality in a statement said 72% of surveyed businesses “expect to become unviable and close in 2021”.
The survey, conducted by market research company CGA, also showed that pubs and other hospitality businesses want the government to provide more support.
CGA polled 446 businesses representing more than 20,000 venues nationwide this month.
“The evidence is here to see of the devastating, long-term impact the government’s restrictions are having on hospitality and pub businesses,” said the three trade organisations.
“Without a change in approach and more support from government, much of our sector could be gone within a year – that means businesses and jobs lost, plus much-loved venues closed forever.”
English pubs temporarily closed their doors on November 5 as the country effectively shut down for the second time this year to try and curb spiking Covid-19 infection rates.
The current lockdown has also shuttered restaurants, gyms, and non-essential shops and services until December 2, with hopes business can resume in time for Christmas.
To help cushion the blow, the government has rolled out a new multibillion-pound support package by extending its furlough jobs scheme paying the bulk of workers’ wages until the end of March. – AFP, November 19, 2020
