Furness CAMRA supports compensation for pubs after lockdown causes millions of pints to be wasted in UK

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has found that 87 million pints have been thrown away since the start of the national restrictions and described the revelation as ‘heartbreaking’.

Pubs and other hospitality businesses have been mandated to close for the third time in a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dave Stubbins, chairman of CAMRA's Furness branch, said it was a great shame and showed how hard the period had been for landlords – but reiterated that the nation's health should come before beer.

LOST: Over 87 million pints of beer will be thrown away due to lockdown

Dave said: “It’s obviously very sad that so much beer is going to waste but I suppose it really does bring into focus how serious it all is for the pub industry.

“It’s sad for the industry but the nation's health must come first.

“At the end of the day, we need to remember that these businesses do need support and compensation should be given when this is all over.

“Beer doesn’t last forever and if a pub shuts it can’t sell all the beer it has left.

DRINKING: Pubs ask for clarity if they will be compensated

“Thankfully, we’re not aware of any pubs round our area who are throwing the towel in for good.

“We all love pubs.

"I hope we get back to normal soon.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Our sector is in limbo. And at several points in the last 12 months pubs and breweries have effectively had to pour their revenues down the drain.

CLOSED: Pubs were forced to throw away beer that could not be sold

“We have no idea or clarity from Government on when we can re-open again.

"What we do know is if we cannot reopen in the near future, without further Government grant support and extensions to the job retention scheme, pubs and brewers will no longer have the cash left to survive and a wave of closures will be inevitable with jobs lost."