Christmas is set to give the struggling pub sector a boost, with almost 300 million pints expected to be sold this month. The sales of pints in pubs in December amounts to 9.5% of their annual beer sales and the British Beer and Pub Association predicts that with the average pint costing £4.80 this may generate sales of £1.4 billion. It added this would generate £136 million in beer duty alone.
Overall, the BBPA said the beer and pub sector would be pouring £3.3bn into the economy over the festive period - it's busiest time of year, with £1.7bn going to the Treasury in taxes. But it warned that roaring Christmas trade should not mask the fact that most pubs will only make pennies in profits for every pint sold.
Emma McClarkin, BBPA chief executive, said: “Month in, month out, but most of all at Christmas, beer and pubs pour billions into the UK economy and Treasury. With the average pub making just 12p a pint thanks to the shocking cost of doing business, these figures highlight just how much our sector boosts the economy, but also what little money is left over.
“We’re working with Government to make sure they cut the cost of doing business so we can help deliver their growth mission, continue to be a pillar of the economy and job market, and remain at the heart of communities.”. The sector supports more than 1 million jobs and latest figures show it contributed £34.4 billion in GVA to the economy. However, the BBPA has warned the cumulative impact of the Budget means an estimated £650million increase to the cost of doing business for the industry putting pubs, brewers, investment and jobs at continued risk.
