Coronavirus: Up to 15,000 pubs could permanently close, industry chief warns

'We could be losing 40% of our businesses if they do not open by the end of September', industry body official warns

A view of boarded up restaurants and pubs in Ashton Lane in Glasgow as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus (PA)

As many as 15,000 pubs could be forced to permanently close if they are forced to wait until September to emerge from lockdown, an industry chief has said in the latest warning from the hospitality sector on the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Pubs, restaurants, and bars are expected to be among the last to be allowed to return to operation as the government eases lockdown measures - with the first steps towards a return to normalcy expected to be announced by the prime minister in an address on Sunday.

However Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, has warned than unless public houses are supported by the government thousands could be forced to shutter.

And she warned pubs could be facing a "double hit" when they reopen - as changes to consumer behaviour could see the public stay away from busy social hubs, impacting profits.

"I am very, very worried about the sector," Ms McClarkin said. "If you are looking [to reopen pubs] at the end of summer, it is looking very stark indeed.

"We could be losing 40 per cent of our businesses if they do not open by the end of September."

Ms McClarkin said the figure equates to about 15,000 pubs and breweries.

She added that in the post-lockdown future pub staff could offer table service as is deployed in restaurants to ensure bars are not rammed, while workers could also be required to monitor toilets to ensure patrons are abiding by social-distancing measures.

Ms McClarkin said the perceived vision of people cramming into pubs once they eventually reopen was "something of the past".

"There are going to be much fewer people inside our pubs and that is part of the reality going forward," she said.

"In the current situation, people are nervous about going out, but they are definitely nervous about socialising in the way they used to and it will take time to build that consumer confidence."

She said the two-metre distancing rule would also limit indoor capacity by about 70%.

However Ms McClarkin said while it was important for pubs to start trading again, she said opening in the wrong conditions would not be in "anyone's interests".

"A fatal blow for many pubs would be a secondary closure", she said, referring to the risk of another lockdown later in the year should the pandemic worsen.

"We will be losing a part of our British culture if we let our pubs close for good."

In regard to future funding, Ms McClarkin said additional support will be needed once pubs reopen as it will take "a long time" for them to build up trade - particularly as landlords face increased costs around cleaning and the possibility of having to invest in personal protection equipment (PPE) for staff.

The Government is currently offering hospitality businesses grants of up to £25,000 if their rateable value is less than £51,000.

Additional reporting by Press Association