Weekend news bulletin for pubs - 30 and 31 May

Further reading: 

• PM eyes earlier pub reopening and reduced social distancing measures​ - Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “optimistic” about pubs reopening earlier than he first thought.​

• Carlsberg UK and Marston’s brewing arm merge in £780m venture​ - Marston’s Brewing Business and Carlsberg’s UK division have announced a proposed transaction to form a giant beer company with a value of £780m.​

• Carlsberg UK joint venture to see Marston’s become a ‘focused pub operator’​ - The creation of the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company will see Marston’s hand over the keys to its beer business and become a ‘focused pub operator’ for the first time in its near 200-year history.​

• Chancellor set to reveal further ‘flexible furloughing’ details​ - Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is set to announce further details about contributions from employers for the furlough scheme from the beginning of August​. 

• Trade bodies join forces to call for full furlough extension​ - Industry associations have urged the Chancellor to maintain the furlough scheme at the current 80% payment level until October and increase its flexibility for the trade.​

• 1-metre social distancing ‘more viable’ for trade’s future​ - Most operators believe their businesses will stand a better chance of success post-lockdown operating under one-metre social distancing instead of the Government’s current recommendation of two metres.​

• What could the Government plans mean for customers returning to pubs?​ - The Government has set out a 50-page plan to emerge from Covid-19 lockdown that includes advice on three distinct phases and social distancing. But what could this mean for returning pub customers?​

• How will the Government’s recovery strategy affect pub staff returning to work?​ - The Government’s 50-page Covid-19 recovery plan states that ‘at least some’ pubs could open as early as 4 July. But what measures does it suggest could be in place to protect staff when they return to work?​

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