Pubs prepare to pour 90m pints

Ahead of the extra-long Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, pubs and brewers are preparing for a bumper event, with an estimated 90m pints expected to be sold, resulting in a £105m boost for the trade.

With opening hours extended until 1am across the Jubilee weekend and an extra day off on top of the regular end of May bank holiday, pubs are hoping for record sales, which could see a £29m pay back into the economy in duty and VAT, according to the British Beer & Pub Association. 

“We are really looking forward to the Jubilee celebrations bringing our community together and are proud that our pub will be at the heart of that," says Jason Smith, who runs the White Swan in Otley, West Yorkshire. “We took a knock over the past two years, and Christmas restrictions were a real blow to our business, but this will be an opportunity to bounce back, so we’re keeping fingers crossed for nice weather as well to lift spirits and celebrations even more.” 

The BBPA has joined with other leading trade organisations and the Together Coalition to call for the extended bank holiday to be made permanent and turned into a ‘Thank Holiday’, to recognise the Queen's service.

“The Platinum Jubilee weekend is set to be a joyous occasion for the whole country, and pubs are looking forward to leading celebrations in their communities across the country," says chief executive of the BBPA Emma McClarkin. "Pubs have always been a place for people to come together and it’s at special times like this that really shines through.

“Whether it’s toasting a special brew for Her Majesty the Queen or joining a Jubilee barbecue at your local, we hope people will celebrate at the pub and show their support for two great British institutions.”

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