Pub industry's trade body calls for details on government's beer gardens plan

The pub industry’s trade body on Monday called for urgent clarity on when beer gardens will be allowed to reopen.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), which represents brewers and pubs, made the call amid reports that suggested ministers had formed a plan to allow those serving customers outdoors to reopen on June 22.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is among half a dozen ministers calling themselves the "save summer six", looking to speed up the reopening of the economy, The Financial Times reported.

Companies had originally been working towards reopening pubs, that closed in March due to the coronavirus crisis, from July 4, in line with government guidance.

Many firms have said 2m social distancing rules need to be relaxed to 1m to make sites financially viable.

The BBPA wants a definitive date for when pub beer gardens will be able to reopen. It said pubs need a minimum of three weeks notice to get ready to reopen.

The organisation pointed to operators needing time to get furloughed staff back in, and to get sites prepared.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “Regardless of whether pub beer gardens can reopen earlier, it is imperative the Government enables all pubs to be free to reopen from July 4 as indicated in its roadmap.”

McClarkin added: “Our industry needs confirmed and definitive dates so we can get pubs ready for reopening. That includes getting safety measures in place and restocking with fresh draught beer ready to be served inside and outside [of pubs].”