UK beer sales ‘collapsed’ in March, new data reveals

A rise in off-trade beer sales was not enough to off-set the “huge loss” of pubs in March, as total beer sales fell close to 13%

Beer sales in pubs fell by 40% in March compared to the same period last year.

Sales in the ‘off-trade’ – such as supermarkets and off-licenses, rose by 10.6% on the same period last year, according to figures from the British Beer and Pub Association.

However, this did not make up for the huge loss of beer sales in pubs, resulting in total beer sales in March 2020 down 12.7% when compared to March 2019.

Boris Johnson told pubs, bars and restaurants to close on 20 March to slow the spread of coronavirius in the UK. These figures show the impact of pubs not being closed for 11 days. April`s data, the trade body said, will reveal the “full impact of total closure with no sales in pubs at all.”

Emma McClarckin, the BBPA’s chief executive, said the measures have had a “devastating impact on our pubs.

“The cliff-edge impact on our sector in March, when people were told to stop going to the pub and then pubs were shutdown, is clear to see. In April, beer sales for pubs will be zero. This is devastating our sector, who still have huge fixed costs to cover, far in excess of the sales revenue and financial support they are receiving from Government right now.”

“When this crisis is over, the first place many will want to visit with their friends, family and neighbours is their local pub. The Government must invest in them now to save them for the future.”