According to new data, pubs in Britain sold 15% less beer during 2021’s last two weeks than the same period the year prior.
As drinkers stayed at home over Christmas and New Year the average pub lost around £4,300 in sales of beer and cider alone during what would normall`y have been a bumper time for takings.
Things were even worse in the city centres with pubs losing £9,297.29.
The figures, from analysts The Oxford Partnership, showed pubs in London lost out by up to £11,000 as office workers cancelled end of year parties and drinks evenings.
This shocking map shows how much pubs have suffered over the last festive week
The location of the pubs affected how much sales were lost.
According to experts, pubs were at their best in 2019 before Omicron shook customer confidence
Another statistic that was just released suggests the fear of the omicron in other venues such as hotels and restaurants is worse.
Their office party cancellations and group reservations for food and lodging were a perfect storm.
Although the Oxford Partnership numbers only include beer sales and pubs, UKHospitality (UKH), a trade association, revealed that Christmas Day tooks dropped by 60% over the year 2019.
As drinkers stayed at home over Christmas and New Year the average pub lost around £4,300 in sales
In the week leading up to Christmas, traditionally one of the busiest times of the year, the average pub, restaurant and bar saw takings fall by £10,335 compared to the same period in 2019.
Kate Nicholls (UKH chief executive) stated that sales were down to 98% before the release of the omicron-based variant.
She stated that the ‘Hospitality business has been hard hit during a crucial trading period, after not being able to take advantage of Christmas and New Year sales.
She asked the government not to place any restrictions on exports and to allow them to be lifted as soon as possible.
Not only is it bad for pub owners or big-name chains, but also for the publicans.
Hospitality creates £130 billion towards the economy as a whole, represents 10 per cent of UK employers, five per cent of GDP and generates £39 billion a year in tax, added the UKH report.
Nicholls stated that additional restrictions or tougher measures in Scotland or Wales should be considered.
Oxford Partnership’s chief executive Alison Jordan said: “The industry is warning of another round of venue cancellations in New Year. The early December uncertainty between the government restrictions and Omicron impact on venues has taken its toll.
“We’ve seen the industry innovate, solve and provide unrivalled customer service to make sure safety.
“Consumers remain cautious because they don’t have a good understanding of the measures.”