Pubs and bars in Scotland are not likely to re-open in any way until the end of April, and even then tier restrictions will have been re-introduced.
The announcement was made by first minister Nicola Sturgeon today, a day after Boris Johnson set out the roadmap for the end of lockdown in England.
James Calder, chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) said: “While it is welcome that pubs may be able to start to re-open in Scotland from the end of April, the tier system made it impossible for businesses to trade, with alcohol sales banned in level 3 and restrictions with a meal at level 2, along with curfews
“Indicatively, it looks like all of Scotland will move into level 3 from 26th April, making it impossible for any brewery to trade with pubs. If these restrictions remain as they are, then most pubs will have been unable to trade in Scotland for eight months.
“We need urgent clarity on what the content of the tiers are when we get more information in March. If no changes are apparent, then Scottish brewers will need another round of the hugely beneficial Brewers Support Fund to get them through this crisis as the current funding can only help them through the next few weeks or so, with an average cash burn of £5,000 per month, per brewery.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: “The announcement today that hospitality can re-open from 26th April under the tiered system raises more questions than it answers. Pub businesses across Scotland now have a lengthy and uncertain wait until mid-March when details of the tier system will be announced.
“While we welcome the news that the government intends to provide additional support for business for four weeks after opening and a tapered support for businesses facing tiered restrictions, it is essential they strip out the complexity of the tiers introduced last year and make them easier to interpret and work with.”
“For much of 2020 pubs in Scotland had to contend with onerous and unjustified restrictions which made it unviable to trade, resulting in many closing their doors for good. We hope that in reviewing the tier system the first minister and her government will learn the lessons of last year and remove the arbitrary, and frankly bizarre restrictions previously imposed, such as curfew, no music, and banning of the sale of alcohol. This is continued closure for pubs in all but name.”
The announcement comes on the same day that the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill, which would introduce a levy on some pubs and destroy investment in the sector, is being debated in Parliamentary committee. This is despite concerns from more than 150 pub tenants, representing 20% of affected pubs, who wrote jointly to the first minister at the weekend to reconsider the damaging bill.
