Announcing the move on Twitter, the northern-based bar group said: “To show our support to the people of Ukraine we will no longer be pouring any Russian vodka in any of our bars. #standwithukraine”.
Arc is one of a growing number of hospitality businesses across the world that are ditching Russian vodka in a show of solidarity for Ukraine, with bar owners in the US and Canada posting videos online of them pouring away the liquid.
The co-founder of Bundobust, which has venues in Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, has also called on businesses to stop serving Russian products.
Marko Husak, who has family ties in Ukraine, suggested licensed venues use alternatives. Writing on Twitter he said: “Restaurants, bars, pubs please stop stocking Russian Vodka. Instead use brands like Finlandia and Eristoff for house pours, and Polish and Ukrainian (of courses) for something special. There’s also some great producers here in the UK.”
Husak also called on breweries and beer bars not to stock or collaborate with Russian breweries and suggested businesses looking to ask guests to donate to charity should support the #helpukraine GoFundMe campaign.
Greater Manchester’s night time economy advisor Sacha Lord, meanwhile, has called on business owners to back the Half of Europe campaign that urges nightlife businesses and policy-makers to boycott Russian drinks.
He wrote on Twitter: “Nightlife businesses and policy makers boycott Russia, including dropping any Russian products inc drinks. I urge others to follow.”