Brewers group blasts Scottish Government's decision to close Falkirk pubs

James Calder, society chief executive, said: “Small breweries lost 82 per cent of their sales with the closure of pubs during the national lockdown and have been struggling through the summer at around 50 per cent of their normal sales.

“Two small breweries a week have been shutting for good. The Scottish Government needs to urgently publish the full evidence for this lockdown and guarantee small breweries will be eligible for the financial assistance package.

“Pubs and small breweries are in a fragile state because of the COVID-19 crisis and for many this sudden shut down will be the final blow. A two week shut down will mean fresh cask beer will have to be destroyed in pub cellars, with pubs or small breweries footing the bill, and the supply chain from breweries again comes to a dead stop.”