BBPA urges alcohol-free visits to pubs
![Get down the pub: some 85% of UK pubs serve low or no alcohol beers](https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/var/wrbm_gb_hospitality/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_large/publications/hospitality/morningadvertiser.co.uk/drinks/soft-hot-drinks/bbpa-wants-customers-to-use-pubs-during-january/5916860-1-eng-GB/BBPA-wants-customers-to-use-pubs-during-January.jpg)
The trade body said the figure was only 78% three years ago but now 39,000 pubs serve a low or no alcohol beer, in addition to a whole range of other non-alcoholic drinks.
Stave off loneliness
With the cost-of-living biting and times tough for the British public, the BBPA is encouraging people not to make the start of the year even more blue by staying home, but instead to come together, stave off loneliness and support the pubs at the heart of their communities.
The call comes as pubs across the country continue to suffer after the third year in a row of disrupted trading due to Covid previously plus train strikes and extortionate energy bills and inflation hitting this year.
Ingenious brewers
BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “These are tough times for the country and people are understandably finding ways to cut back. But in what is usually an already gloomy time of year, we’re encouraging people to seek out their community hubs and come together with friends and family at their local. Not only will you be greeted with warmth and friendly faces, but you’ll be supporting much-loved businesses that urgently need help to survive.
“Regardless of what you’re ordering at the bar, there is something for everyone. Our nation’s ingenious brewers have made great strides in developing new ranges of delicious low and no alcohol options over the past few years, so if you can please head down to your local and taste what’s on offer. A warm welcome awaits you and you might even find a new favourite tipple among friendly faces.”