Beer sales during Wales match 60,000 pints lower due to table service

Beer sales during the Wales v Turkey match on 16 June were 60,000 pints lower than if the game had been shown without restrictions, analysis by the Welsh Beer and Pub Association has found. 

The trade association said ongoing restrictions are “negatively impacting” the experience of watching UEFA EURO 2020 at the pub and is “limiting the number of customers” pubs can have viewing the match.

According to the group, table service restrictions which were implemented during the viewing of the match, resulted in a loss of revenue to pubs in Wales of £235,000. 

Overall, the trade association estimates 480,000 pints were sold on Wednesday 16 June, with 250,000 of those being sold during the game itself.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Welsh Beer and Pub Association, said: “Nothing beats watching the football at the pub. We reckon Wales fans bought 250,000 extra pints when watching Wales play Turkey on Wednesday. 

“The current restrictions on pubs do mean the experience isn’t the same. No standing and limits on group sizes, as well as social distancing, are going to severely reduce the number of people who can enjoy the game in the pub. 

She added: “Because of this, we expect Welsh pubs sold 60,000 fewer pints during the game than they would have done without restrictions. That cost Welsh pubs almost £235,000 during the game alone. Given our pubs have been closed or faced restrictions for more than a year, every little helps and is critical to our recovery and survival. 

“More and more people are getting the vaccine each day. It’s time for the restrictions on our freedoms to be replaced by the protection of the vaccination and for businesses and life to get back to normal.”