海角视频

People鈥檚 desire to socialise outside following the pandemic could drive longer-term changes within the pub and restaurant industry, the boss of one of the 海角视频鈥檚 biggest brewery groups has said.

Jonathan Lawson, chief executive of Liberation Group, which also owns Butcombe Brewery, believes demand for outdoor space will only continue to grow - even when restrictions are lifted.

Channel Island-based Liberation Group has 124 pubs in its estate, many of which will be reopening on Monday, April 12.

The business has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds into its sites as it prepares to reopen, including developing an app to serve people outside and putting a greater focus on outdoor dining with new pizza ovens.

鈥淭he desire to be outside has increased [amid the pandemic] and that trend is carrying on,鈥� said Mr Lawson. 鈥淕oing forward if possible people will want to be outside.

鈥淭he trend around staycations is also going to continue. There is going to be a strong demand for local products and staying local.

鈥淭here is changing behaviour from people. Even as people go back to offices I don鈥檛 think we will see people working five days a week in the office any more.鈥�

Mr Lawson said the pubs in the group鈥檚 estate which are reopening are the bigger venues - some of which have space for more people outside than in. The rest of the sites will be reopened gradually leading up to the lifting of all restrictions on June 21.

Despite one of 鈥渢he most challenging years鈥�, Liberation Group, says Mr Lawson, is in a good position - unlike many other hospitality businesses in the South West.

The business has been able to generate revenue through its brewery businesses, while its pubs and restaurants are closed.

鈥淲e have worked very hard to protect cash and we have very supportive investors. The business is in a good position. We are feeling confident about the future.鈥�

However, the brewery boss says it is 鈥渧ital鈥� the prime minister sticks to his roadmap out of lockdown.

鈥淭here have been a lot of twists and turns in the last 12 months,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur prime minister seemed to be confident to hold to the timelines of the roadmap, and when I look at case rates I can鈥檛 see why we can鈥檛. It鈥檚 really important they stick to what they committed to.鈥�

He has also called on the Government to look at ways to help the industry in the longer term, including providing business rates relief.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great [the Government] cut the VAT rate, but I think there needs to be a look at that within the industry. We are not looking for subsidies but we are looking to grow and invest.鈥�

He added: 鈥淲e need to get pubs reopened. We have been investing in our business since the new year and that will be the focus next year. We have very ambitious plans.鈥�