Euro 2020: Over 9m pints expected to be sold in lead up to England’s semi-final
Football fans are predicted to buy 6.8m pints during England’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark tonight, with 9.7m expected to be sold throughout the day overall.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said it expects today’s game to draw more crowds into pubs than England’s previous quarter-final match against Ukraine.
Pint half empty
While pubs will welcome the boost to trade, the BBPA also said 1.7m less pints will be sold during the match due to the current coronavirus restrictions. This would result in a £6.5m less takings for pubs.
As restrictions are lifted, it is urging the government to lower VAT and business rates for pubs and also reduce beer duty, saying the taxes put on pubs and breweries is “unfair”.
Emma McClarkin, BBPA chief executive, said:
“After a long wait, the pubs we love should be restriction free from July 19th. Only when the restrictions are removed can our pubs recover, but to do so they need Government investment to build back better.
“We are backing the Long Live The Local campaign which celebrates our pubs but will urge the government to invest in their recovery. We are calling for reform of VAT, beer duty and business rates on pubs and breweries which will help build stronger communities, jobs, investments and a thriving British beer and pub sector we can be proud of.”
Extra rounds
The prediction comes as pubs expect their opening hours to be extended by 45 minutes for the Euros final on Sunday evening.
An emergency law will reportedly be passed in the House of Commons to legally allow pubs to remain open in case the Euros final goes into extra time, regardless of whether England make the final.
The news will no doubt come as a boost to pubs, which have suffered greatly throughout the pandemic and are still struggling to make a profit.