'They’ve really struggled': Pubs chief calls for licensees to have more help
A Black Country branch of the Campaign for Real Ale is calling for more support for pub licencees.
The Stourbridge and Halesowen branch says pubs and breweries in the area are fighting to survive even tougher restrictions brought about by the latest national lockdown, which prevents them from selling takeaway alcohol.
Branch chairman Tim Cadwell said: “The thing we feel most aggrieved about is that pubs have gone to enormous lengths to make it safe to reopen and lots of them have done a very good job.
“They’ve really struggled to make any money and we think it’s very unfair to stop them from trying to play on a level playing field with the supermarkets and off-licences by offering their own alcohol takeaways.
“Pubs have had a year of very tough restrictions and forced closures and now they’ve been hit again by this alcohol ban.
“We need a sector-specific support scheme to ensure these pubs are still there to serve their customers when the lockdown lifts.
“We fully support the need for this lockdown, but the Government needs to look at a more substantial support package for licensees.
"A lot of them are still having to pay rent. Some may have had discounts on their rents, but there are other costs that don’t just disappear just because the pub is closed.”
The branch believes the hospitality industry is being unfairly discriminated against, while supermarkets and off licences can continue to sell alcohol.
