SIBA responds to the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of lockdown
Responding to the Prime Minister’s roadmap out of lockdown James Calder, SIBA Chief Executive said:
“The Prime Minister’s statement this evening gave us a starting point and a methodology for how we will come out of lockdown. We need to see the detail of which sectors are included within ‘step 3’ but at this stage it looks like pubs and taprooms will follow restaurants, cinemas and cafes in July but if and only if we maintain control of the virus. That may mean that the partial awakening of our sector is still at least 8-12 weeks away.
Whilst we thank the Prime Minister for recognising our sector directly in both his speech and in Government social media, 8-12 weeks is still a huge amount of time. In that intervening period our sector requires continued direct support from Government to ensure that the 1 million jobs in pubs, brewing and supply chain are preserved.”
“This is a marathon, not a sprint and we continue to be at the core of discussions with Government about how our heritage, our culture and our right to have a good pint in a good pub is maintained for the long term. We will of course not put any pressure on Government to open pubs and taprooms ahead of when it is safe to do so. But we will put pressure where it is needed to ensure our sector has a fighting chance of survival.”
James Calder,
SIBA Chief Executive
