Author Archive
July 14, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland, SIBA National, wales and west
Responding to the statements by the First Minister in Wales on changes to the Covid-19 regulations, SIBA Chief Executive James Calder said: “The announcement that Wales will move fully into alert level one on Saturday and hopefully further next month will be some relief to frustrated pubs and brewers who have been amongst the hardest […]
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July 12, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National
Responding to the Prime Minister’s confirmation on moving to step 4 of the Roadmap in England, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) James Calder said: “Today the Prime Minister has finally given brewers and pubs the green light to lift the remaining hospitality restrictions on July 19th. Our sector should be hailed […]
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June 30, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National, SIBA Northern Ireland
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has welcomed the passing of new legislation in the NI Assembly as a ‘tentative first step’ towards brewery taprooms being allowed to open. While the new licensing laws could pave the way for independent brewers to finally open brewery taprooms, which have been a hugely important part of the […]
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June 9, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National, SIBA Northern Ireland
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has welcomed changes to the Licensing Bill which would allow the opening of brewery taprooms as a ‘positive step forward’ for NI’s craft brewers. Currently NI’s 30 small and independent brewers are not permitted to open onsite taprooms to sell their beer directly to consumers, unlike breweries in GB […]
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May 19, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Industry News
In recent months there has been growing speculation that the Government is considering a lower duty rate for draught beer. In this article SIBA Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Barry Watts, looks at its implications for small brewers. As brewers, we all know that currently beer is taxed (far too highly) according to its […]
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May 7, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Industry News
In this article, SIBA Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Barry Watts explores the forthcoming Deposit Return Schemes and the impact on small brewers Over the next decade or so, governments across the UK have ambitious plans to introduce measures which aim to tackle climate change. With the COP26 conference taking place later this year […]
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April 14, 2021 | by Barry Watts | SIBA National
Responding to the proposals for calorie counts on pints as reported in The Sun, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “Just when we are starting on the long road to recovery from the devastating impacts of Covid, the Government is planning another costly and complicated hit to struggling pubs and […]
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March 24, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland
Commenting on the Tied Pubs Bill becoming law yesterday (23 March 2021), Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “With the passage of the Tied Pubs Bill in Scotland last night, pub tenants will now have the same statutory rights that have been provided in England and Wales under a Pubs […]
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March 16, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland
Responding to the First Minister’s statement today (16 March 2021) on the reopening of the Scottish economy, Chief Executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, James Calder said: “It is encouraging that the First Minister has taken the first steps to reopen pubs in Scotland with outdoor services from 26 April, but this is several […]
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January 27, 2021 | by Barry Watts | Scotland, SIBA National
Commenting on the announcement of the Scottish Brewers Support Fund, SIBA Chief Executive James Calder said: “Beleaguered small breweries have been some of the hardest hit by the Covid pandemic and seen their sales drain away with the closure of pubs. In these tough times it is hugely welcome that the Scottish Government has listened […]
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