Why 21 million fewer pints than normal could be served this bank holiday

A leading scientist has told the Evening Standard people should enjoy “life that looks vaguely normal” this weekend as temperatures rise for the bank holiday. Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, says he’s confident vaccines are working against the Indian variant of Covid-19, but is warning people to remain cautious.


That would lead to the government being able to lift final lockdown restrictions on June 21st, but the British Beer and Pub Association fears many of its members won’t make it.


With some restrictions still in place, around 2,000 bars have not been able to re-open. It’s predicted around half of the number of pints expected to be sold this weekend will actually be served.


The Association’s chief executive, Emma McClarkin, joins the podcast to tell us why even with the sun coming out this spring bank holiday may leave some publicans with nothing to celebrate. 


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