A group of independent UK beer shops have forged a path together to highlight their sector and host an annual celebration.
In 2020, during the global pandemic, more than 40 independent beer shops came together to collaborate with an indie UK brewery — Donzoko — and release a beer highlighting and celebrating their sector within the beer ecosystem, Indie Graft.
Building on that event and taking inspiration from Record Store Day, a steering committee of independent beer shop owners have taken the momentum to develop an annual national day to continue to highlight and have a voice for their sector. They are shouting about the vibrancy and positive footfall these businesses drive to their local high streets, input and support to their local economy, and ultimately their community and beer supply chain.
Often, beer conversations focus across on- and off-trade, with off-trade only spotlighting the supermarket sector. As passionate owner-operators, beer shops, AKA ‘the local bottle shop’, are important places on consumers’ beer journey. They are often places where consumers can spend time searching and learning more about the wonderful world of beer — breweries, history and beer styles. Whether it’s their first time exploring craft beer or their regular visit, they are always guided by friendly and welcoming beer shop staff.
Independent beer shops have ridden the rollercoaster of the pandemic, continuing to operate within government guidance. Classed as essential shops, they all operate differently and uniquely. Managing to traverse this situation has been tough emotionally, economically, and physically for many.
The driving passion to keep their customers smiling has always been the ultimate goal, showing the indie beer shop sector as a vital link and valuable connection between brewery and customer within their communities. Many high streets have been suffering prior to the pandemic, with footfall down due to complex challenges, including the encroachment of large online companies who are able to operate on slim margins and undercut competition with lower operational cost bases.
In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, the UK high street has suffered a catastrophic year. For every £1 spent in a local business, around 50-70p recirculates back into the local economy, showing the great value local businesses bring to their community and economy. For the same £1 spent out of town or online, only 5p trickles back into the local economy.
The pandemic presented multiple challenges for independent bricks and mortar businesses, with many adapting to multiple ways of working: continued in-store retail, UK mail order, local home delivery services, and click and collect options. Many continued with this strategy while keeping their focus on the importance and value of a high street presence.
As the UK re-opens on a strict roadmap, many beer shops are looking forward to returning to opening their doors fully from mid-April, alongside the wider retail sector, and welcoming their much missed customers back safely.
By July, it is anticipated that the high street, retail, and hospitality will have returned to some normality, and this is seen as an excellent time to shout about about the sector. Indie Beer Shop Day’s goal is to aid a co-ordinated recovery and revitalisation of each local high street, up and down the UK.
Indie Beer Shop Day will take place on Saturday, 17th July. There are currently more than 70 shops signed up to join in the celebration. Expect events, exclusive beer collaborations, and more, from Perth to Truro, Whitley Bay to Cardif, and everywhere in between.
Collaborations will launch on the day and be available to purchase exclusively at those beer shops signed up for the event, much like Record Store Day with its anticipated special vinyl releases. The day will culminate in an evening virtual beer tasting, hosted by beer writer Pete Brown.
• Find out more at indiebeershopday.uk/
