A Greater Manchester drinks firm has said the controversial 10pm hospitality curfew has prompted a huge sales spike - despite complaints from many bars, restaurants and pubs that it is "making things worse".
Carrington-based Alcohol Solutions, a specialist in drinks development and innovation, reported a 30% increase in enquiries for its canning and bottling facilities over the last week, and said the demand was "three-fold".
According to the firm, pubs, bars and restaurants fearing the loss of income from reduced trading hours are looking to widen the scope of their offering with a ‘takeaway’ service so people can enjoy a nightcap at home.
As well as that, supermarkets and convenience stores are stocking up on beverages to cope with increased footfall as more people plan ‘at home’ drinking occasions - and finally, online retailers are gearing up for another wave of panic buying booze ahead of the festive season.
The 10pm rule came in last month in a bid by the Government to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Graham Gibson, co-founder and director of the firm, had a warning for brand owners. He said they would need to "act fast" if they want to meet demand ahead of the Christmas period, with capacity across bottling and canning centres filling up quickly.
Graham Gibson, Co-Founder and Director at Alcohol Solutions said: “As a nation we are going to experience a very different kind of Christmas this year. Christmas parties will be virtual, last orders earlier and traditional drinking occasions like markets will be tightly regulated if not cancelled - all guaranteeing a continuation of the at-home drinking trend.
"Brands need to be prepared, both to fulfil their off-trade demand and, since the introduction of the 10pm curfew, the increased on-trade demand that we’re seeing for spirits & RTD beverages.
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“We have a L5 canning line and British-made bottling line which is quickly getting booked up as we enter the run up to Christmas. If orders come in after November 1 we cannot guarantee that production will be turned around in time for brands to fulfil their orders so we advise quick action to avoid disappointment.”
Alcohol Solutions, created by the team behind The City of Manchester Distillery, said there is a four-week window of opportunity left for brands to secure their product run at their new drinks development and packaging centre.
With an annual processing capacity of ten million cans and bottles, those brands looking to bolster sales ahead of Christmas need to book before October 31 to ensure production and supply times, he said.
He added that premium, more unique spirit offerings are also gaining popularity as consumers "continue to strive to find excitement and a sense of occasion" amid the current restrictions.
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“We’re also seeing a rise in popularity of innovative flavoured, packaged and produced drinks as people are demanding more from their spirits.
"Given that consumers have enjoyed experimenting and honing their drink choices over the last six months, in a post-lockdown economy, brands would benefit from further investment in NPD to tap into these changing trends.”
Earlier this year, The City of Manchester Distillery announced a £900,000 investment in the creation of Alcohol Solutions’ drinks development and packing centre.