The BBPA has called on the Government for “urgent clarity and a definitive date for when beer gardens will be allowed to open”.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said that pubs need a minimum of three weeks’ notice to get ready to re-open. Likewise, beer will need to be brewed in that time and delivered to pubs for when they re-open. If beer gardens are to open from 22nd June then pubs and brewers, need to know now as it only gives them two weeks to get ready.

The BBPA said it is not immediately clear how many pubs with beer gardens will re-open without a definitive date, sufficient notice to plan their reopening, and the final safety guidelines, specifically a decision on the two metres versus one metre social distancing rule. All of these are required immediately to allow pub beer gardens to open ahead of July 4th.

The BBPA estimates that there are some 27,000 pubs across the UK with beer gardens – more than half of the UK’s 47,000 pubs in total.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said:

“We’ve always wanted to re-open our nations pubs safely and viably as soon as possible, but we urgently need a clear decision on whether we can re-open pub beer gardens early. We also seek urgent confirmation from the Government on a definitive date when pub beer gardens will be able to open. Regardless of whether pub beer gardens can re-open earlier, it is imperative the Government enables ALL pubs to be free to re-open from July 4th as indicated in its roadmap.

“Our industry needs confirmed and definitive dates so we can get pubs ready for re-opening. That includes getting safety measures in place and restocking with fresh draught beer ready to be served inside and outside of our wonderful local pubs. This requires a minimum of three weeks, but ideally four weeks is needed. The speculated date of 22nd June gives us only two weeks to get ready, which may not be enough time – hence why we need urgent clarity and a definite date from the Government. If pubs are going to get ready to re-open their beer gardens, then it makes sense to let ALL pubs be free to re-open from July 4th as the Government originally indicated in its roadmap.”