The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) called on the government to repeat its Eat Out to Help Out scheme as quieter trading months approach.
The trade association has hailed the scheme, which is set to end after August, as a great success for many of its members’ food-led pubs, boosting their Monday to Wednesday trade.
Chief executive, Emma McClarkin, said: “The Government should definitely repeat the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. It has provided a much-needed boost to sales in the early week for some of our sector as it tries to recover.
“That boost to the pub and wider hospitality sector — amongst the largest employers in the UK — is much needed and will help secure jobs and build consumer confidence. Repeating the scheme, particularly as we approach quieter months for trade, would be a significant help.
“However, it still remains the case that wet-led pubs — those who predominantly just serve drinks and bar snacks — don’t benefit from the scheme and so still need further support from the government elsewhere.
“With the upcoming autumn Budget and alcohol duty review, as well as the business rates review, this should be in the form of significant cuts to beer duty and business rates.”
