PUBS missed out on sales of 10 million extra pints of beer over the bank holiday weekend because of the continued lockdown, it has been estimated.

With most pubs hoping to reopen as soon as possible, it looks as though their ability to achieve social distancing could be the deciding factor.

Safety is the key to when pubs should reopen though, as members of the public would not want to put people's health at risk.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said pubs would have been packed on a normal late May Bank Holiday, with good weather and the FA Cup final usually held on the Saturday.

The trade body noted that pubs were the first businesses to be ordered to shut down by the Government in March and could be among the last to re-open.

The BBPA said not all pubs will reopen from July as many won’t be able to meet the social distancing measures required by then.

Dave Stubbins, chairman of Furness Campaign for Real Ale, said: “Social distancing is going to be a problem for pubs coming back there is no doubt about that.

“For a lot of smaller pubs it will be a struggle especially.

“We know there are a lot of pubs that are doing takeaway food and beer and they can get business that way.

“It would be easier for pubs with bigger beer gardens to reopen and achieve social distancing.

“It is all about safety though, and the time for pubs to reopen would be when it is deemed safe to do so as people will not go if they don’t think it is safe.

“So it is better if they open at that time so the pubs can actually make money.

“It must be a difficult time for a lot of our pubs and I imagine we may not see some reopen.

“I have to say though that breweries have been really innovative and have adapted by making five litre kegs to buy in shops as well as bottling their products.

“I think more people want to get their beer locally because our breweries are brilliant.”

Ensuring a distance of two metres will be impossible for some pubs, keeping them closed for much longer, said the BBPA.

Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “This bank holiday weekend would usually bring a much-needed boost to our sector - as many as 10 million extra pints could have been sold in pubs.

“With such good weather, Brits would normally flock to their local pub beer garden to make the most of the sunshine.

“Those pubs with beer gardens and outside terraces are best placed to meet social distancing restrictions to open from July 4.

“We welcome the idea of an additional bank holiday in October and support any Government help to boost the speed of recovery of pubs and breweries.”