Tiers taking toll on pub owners as restrictions continue to bite
A brewery has furloughed its brewing team as the new tier restrictions have taken a grip on the hospitality trade.
Black Country Ales, which is to open its 40th pub in Shropshire in the new year, is unable to open in its home area.
However, the brewery has opened eight of its pubs in the Midlands operating under Tier 2 rules.
Managing director Angus McMeeking said they had kept the brewery behind its Old Bull’s Head pub, in Redhall Road, Upper Gornal, open last month hoping to see Black Country and Birmingham pubs reopen – but the decision to keep them in Tier 3 had put paid to that.
“We have had to furlough all the brewery staff this week. We have got plenty of beer in the cellars and don’t need to brew any more at the moment,” he said.
“The eight pubs we reopened on Wednesday have a substantial food offer. The early signs are it was well received and the pubs did have a decent day.
"The new restrictions are difficult to work with but we have just got to do the best we can.”
He said BCA was awaiting the next pronouncement on changes to tiers on December 16.
Holden’s Brewery, in Woodsetton, which has a 20-strong estate, has decided not to open any of its pubs in Tier 2 Shropshire.
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Brierley Hill-based Batham’s has been able to reopen some of its pubs in Worcestershire, but the Black Country pubs remain closed.
Vicky Colclough, of Joule’s Brewery, which own pubs in Shropshire and Staffordshire, said: “Christmas this year is certainly looking different.”
“Because the pubs are facing some very tough trading restrictions with over half of our taphouses in Tier 3 and some in Tier 2 they are finding opening unfeasible.
“We are once again honouring all stock in cellars for our closed pubs who are unable to trade and also a 75 per cent rent concession to all our pubs; we are focused on stability.
"We will, as a company and pub estate, get through this and come out stronger than before.
"The character of our landlords and landlady’s has shone through in this last year, of strength, determination and entrepreneurship – in the face of the unknown we’re proud to support them to our greatest extent.”
