Given that pubs will need “a minimum of three weeks’ notice” to prepare for reopening, the trade body has requested urgent confirmation from the Government of a definitive opening date, as the 22 June proposal only gives sites two weeks to get ready.
It has also reiterated that even if pub beer gardens are permitted to reopen by the end of this month, the priority must still be for all pubs to be free to reopen from 4 July as originally indicated in the Government’s recovery roadmap.
“Our industry needs confirmed and definitive dates so we can get pubs ready for reopening,” says Emma McClarkin, BBPA CEO.
“That includes getting safety measures in place and restocking with fresh draught beer ready to be served inside and outside of our wonderful local pubs.
“This requires a minimum of three weeks, but ideally four weeks is needed. The speculated date of 22 June gives us only two weeks to get ready, which may not be enough time, hence why we need urgent clarity and a definite date from the Government.
“If pubs are going to get ready to re-open their beer gardens, then it makes sense to let all pubs be free to reopen from July 4th as the Government originally indicated in its roadmap.”
The trade body estimates that there are approximately 27,000 pubs across the UK with beer gardens – more than half of the UK’s total 47,000 pubs.