The All-party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) has launched a report to show the Government how the COVID crisis has impacted the industry.
In March 2021 the APPBG put out a call for evidence to understand:
“The importance of cask ale to the UK’s brewing and pub culture, to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on cask ale sales and to ask how Government, brewers and pub operators can work in partnership to ensure the revival of real ale in the UK.”
More than 30 individuals and organisations responded. A virtual hearing was held on 15 April, chaired by APPBG chair Mike Wood MP (Con, Dudley South).
It’s not only about the facts and figures. We have been talking to our customers throughout the lockdowns and the emotional impact is devastating. We’ve all talked to each other about the situation, the effects on sales, the changes that we’ve had to make. At Faram’s we’ve made a few videos and Podcasts with brewers and suppliers discussing just that.
We have been saddened to see hop yards empty and unplanted, beer poured down the drain, and pub gardens with no entry tape wrapped around them.
This report is not a shock to us but provides valuable data in a definite, unarguable format.
Page 15 of the report shows specifically how the agricultural suppliers have been impacted. In there you will find a statement from us.
In the summary recommendations, the report sums up the heritage as well as future consequences for not only brewing but other industries.
