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News
Pub beer sales fall by 50 million pints
UK beer sales in pubs were down almost 50 million pints in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period last year, according to new figures released by the British Beer & Pub Association’s (BBPA) quarterly “Beer Barometer”.
The association points to the long winter and that the first quarter largely precedes the cut in beer duty announced in the Budget on 20 March.
Sales in pubs were down by 5.5% in the quarter, compared with a 0.1% rise in off-trade sales. The BBPA said that the fall in pub sales reflects the trend in recent years.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “The figures show the chancellor was right to cut beer duty and abolish the escalator, given the huge tax rises in recent years. We would hope to see the benefits in second quarter sales, where brewers, pubs and pubgoers will see beer tax rates at nearly 7% lower than they were due to be.
“Beer has a very special place in pubs, and accounts for 68% of pub drinks’ sales. The duty cut has seen brewers and pub companies passing on the reduction to customers. It will encourage brewers and pubs to invest and create jobs.
“Other measures in the Budget will also help pubs, and are a further recognition that the government understands the importance of our sector. The changes to National Insurance were particularly helpful, as the pub trade largely comprises small businesses and employs around 600,000 people directly.”
Andrew Griffiths, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, added: “These figures show just how important it is that the Treasury supports the brewing industry.
“By scrapping the beer duty escalator and cutting beer duty for the first time since 1959, I am sure the coalition government is giving the brewing industry a shot in the arm and that this will lead to growth in the sector in the future.”
Given the high rates of alcoholism and other problems associated with this culture perhaps new healthier alternatives will spawn and the English people will live longer.
They are drinking as much as ever. The economy has caused them to move on to cider and cheap wine.
Ah, go fork-yourself.
The reason is simple, it is ridiculously expensive now, for the price of one glass of wine I can go home and get a bottle. The only place I really drink out anymore is the student union it is very cheap, and they food is good too!
Who wants to live longer without a pint now and then?
you don’t live longer without drinking it just feels like it
More lost jobs due to the ever expanding Police State!
We don’t care how long you live as long as you die with a smile on your face.
Actually, this is more likely due to the obsession people have with being as skinny as teenagers these days. Rest assured, alcohol use is not in decline. The would be beer drinkers are now vodka drinkers. In my opinion, beer, in moderation, especially traditional ale, is much healthier than grain alcohol. Beer is also safer for those younger drinkers who tend to over-indulge.
i make my own beer alot cheaper and fun
When you tax something, you’ll get less of it. It’s really that simple. People are not drinking less; they are finding cheaper alternatives. Cheap wine, Bathtub gin and rott-gut vodka are probably hot. They are in the states.
Lord bless Charlie the man who invented beer beer beer
It stands to reason given the times not only in England and America but around the Western world that is being affected by bad economic policy. People who can’t find work or are unwillingly unemployed can’t afford to drink at Pub prices, and when they do, and are using the Dole during a crisis to buy Booze in a Pub , then they should’nt be on the dole …A pub is a business and if you look around you at all the newly shuttered windows from the businesses that have gone under in recent times , know that a Publican is becoming an endangered species as well …so how about a Beer ? It’s home made once again ! 😉