CAMRA msde comment ahead of discussions between the Treasury and industry representatives this afternoon about financial support in response to the spread of the omicron variant,
CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said, “Coal for Christmas would be better than the current situation - at least pubs with fires would have help with rising heating bills.
“We are now back in the same, and wholly unacceptable, situation of March 2020 where pubs and social clubs were put in lockdown by proxy when the public were warned to stay away.
“The Chancellor must urgently deliver a new package of support including grants, business rate relief and furlough – this time available to brewers and the whole supply chain, rather than just publicans, and with money for devolved governments to do the same for pubs which are already facing fresh restrictions.'
Antona ended, “It’s not going to be a merry Christmas for anyone working in the hospitality sector, but if the Chancellor acts now, we can avoid the business closures, unemployment and poorer communities that mass pub closures during what should be the busiest time of year for the trade would bring.”