In a new survey of small independent brewers in the UK, conducted by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), 84 percent expect the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures to have a lasting negative impact on their business and 80 percent believe the Government are not doing enough to support small breweries.

The survey found a staggering 90 percent of the UK’s independent brewers think the large multinational brewers stand to increase their market share as a result Covid-19, directly to the detriment of small independents. Competition on price, on ‘soft loans’ tying down publicans to bland mass market beer and worries about buying choices of pubs are huge concerns in breweries around the UK.

97 percent of brewers can be ready to supply pubs by the proposed July 4th opening, but only if the Prime Minister offers a roadmap and guidance on social distancing imminently – brewers need at least 3 weeks notice to open and the clock is ticking. The message to Government on social distancing from brewers was clear: Half of brewers think most pubs aren’t economically viable with social distancing at all but a further 47 percent said they’re only viable at 1m of social distance.

James Calder, SIBA Chief Executive said: "Getting pubs reopened quickly and safely is simply the first step on the road to recovery for small brewers – for others irreparable damage has already been done. Breweries have not received the same levels of financial support from Government as the rest of the sector, the global brewers are looking to eat our lunch and we face a hugely different, unpredictable and chaotic marketplace when things do re-open."

A summary of the survey can be found on www.siba.co.uk