Latest news with #EmmaMcClarkin
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Women's Euros 2025: Pubs to stay open late if England or Wales reach semi-final
Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 01:00 BST if England or Wales reach the final stages of the Uefa Women's European Championships, the Home Office has usual 23:00 closing time will be pushed back if either home nation reaches the semi-finals or final of the tournament, scheduled for 2-27 July in Switzerland, to mark an event of "exceptional national significance".England are defending champions while Wales have qualified for the first time. Both teams have been drawn in the same group."Nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams," said policing minister Dame Diana Johnson. "We want fans to enjoy every minute of these matches." The two semi-finals will take place on 22 and 23 July. The final will take place in Basel on 27 will be the first home nation side to play when they take on the Netherlands on 5 July. The Lionesses will play against France on the same day. Pub opening hours were also extended for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day this month, as well as for the semi-final and final of the men's Euros last decision is "a positive and progressive move that recognises the growing popularity of women's football and its cultural significance across the UK," said Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association. British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: "The pub is the home of live sport.""Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit and extending licensing hours means people can gather for longer and host even more events that cheer on our squads," she added.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Pub opening hours to change for Euros - details and how far teams need to get
The Home Office said licensing hours will be relaxed - giving football fans extra time to raise a glass to the teams - if England or Wales get to the semi-finals of the women's Euros Pubs will be allowed to stay open later if England or Wales get to the semi-finals of the women's Euros. The Home Office said licensing hours will be relaxed to mark the games - giving football fans extra time to raise a glass to the teams. Instead of the usual 11pm cut-off, pubs will be able to open until 1am on the night of the semi-final or final if England or Wales make it that far. Both have been drawn in the same group, alongside France and the Netherlands, for the tournament, which kicks off in Switzerland in July. The semi-finals take place on July 22 and July 23, with the final on July 27. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: "Nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams, which is why we want fans to be able to enjoy every minute of these matches. "We will extend licensing hours should either team progress through the tournament, to allow supporters to watch and celebrate together for longer. I want to wish the best of luck to both teams and let's hope for some more memorable nights this summer." British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: "The pub is the home of live sport. Nothing compares when it comes to bringing atmosphere and camaraderie to watching the football live, and we expect supporters will be flocking to their local to cheer on our brilliant teams. "Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit, and extending licensing hours means people can gather for longer and host even more events that cheer on our squads." Pubs were last allowed to open late to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day in honour of the World War Two veterans. Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill described the extended hours as "a positive and progressive move that recognises the growing popularity of women's football and its cultural significance across the UK". He said: "Much like previous extensions for national celebrations, this decision will give communities the opportunity to come together and celebrate in a safe and responsible way, while also providing a welcome boost to the night-time economy. It represents a valuable opportunity for hospitality businesses to maximise trade during a major event - particularly important in today's extremely challenging economic climate."
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Blow for British pubs as they're being hit with highest ‘bevvy levy' in Europe
UK glass recycling charges of £240 per ton are much higher than anywhere else in Europe 'OWN GOAL' Blow for British pubs as they're being hit with highest 'bevvy levy' in Europe Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PUBS are being hit with the highest 'bevvy levy' in Europe. New recycling taxes on glass and aluminium, which will cost the industry £1.6billion a year, have been branded a massive 'own goal' by hospitality chiefs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 British Beer and Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin says: 'Brewers will be seriously disadvantaged by this bevvy levy' From today, firms that put more than 25 tons of packaging a year on to the market have to pay EPR (extended producer responsibility) fees for recycling. UK glass recycling charges of £240 per ton are much higher than anywhere else in Europe — adding 12p to a bottle of wine and 6p to a bottle of beer. Poland pays £110, beer-loving Germany £85, and Greece £17. But environment chiefs have estimated EPR is unlikely to impact rates of recycling in the next five years. British Beer and Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: 'Brewers will be seriously disadvantaged by this bevvy levy, which is unfair, poorly rolled out, and detached from reality. "The costs are a spectacular own goal. They'll choke investment, cost jobs and stifle growth. 'The government must urgently rethink these ridiculous fees if they want our beloved pubs and breweries to survive and thrive.' A government spokesman said: 'We will crack down on waste and boost recycling, with EPR for packaging a vital first step.' 2 Pubs are being hit with the highest 'bevvy levy' in Europe Credit: Getty
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Blow for British pubs as they're being hit with highest ‘bevvy levy' in Europe
PUBS are being hit with the highest 'bevvy levy' in Europe. New recycling taxes on glass and aluminium, which will cost the industry £1.6billion a year, have been branded a massive 'own goal' by hospitality chiefs. 2 From today, firms that put more than 25 tons of packaging a year on to the market have to pay EPR (extended producer responsibility) fees for recycling. UK glass recycling charges of £240 per ton are much higher than anywhere else in Europe — adding 12p to a bottle of wine and 6p to a bottle of beer. Poland pays £110, beer-loving Germany £85, and Greece £17. But environment chiefs have estimated EPR is unlikely to impact rates of recycling in the next five years. British Beer and Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: 'Brewers will be seriously disadvantaged by this bevvy levy, which is unfair, poorly rolled out, and detached from reality. "The costs are a spectacular own goal. They'll choke investment, cost jobs and stifle growth. 'The government must urgently rethink these ridiculous fees if they want our beloved pubs and breweries to survive and thrive.' A government spokesman said: 'We will crack down on waste and boost recycling, with EPR for packaging a vital first step.' 2
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge UK pub chain to hike price of beer by 4% this week in big blow to drinkers
A HUGE pub chain is hiking the price of beer by 4% this week in a big blow to drinkers. Punters are facing yet another hike at the pumps as the UK's biggest pub chain slaps landlords with a fresh price rise. 1 A huge pub chain is hiking up the price of beer Credit: Getty Stonegate Group, which owns some of Britain's best-known boozers including Slug & Lettuce, Walkabout and Popworld, is hiking beer and other booze selling prices by 4% for its leased and tenanted pubs from May 2. Pubs will likely then have to push this cost onto drinkers, which could add an extra 15 to 20p onto drinks. For example, a pint like Hofbräu Original Lager that typically costs £5.50, could now cost £5.75. Similarly, the Thistly Cross Traditional Sparkling Apple Cider that would usually sell at £5, could increase to £5.20. The move has sparked outrage among landlords, who say they're already drowning in rising costs and rent increases. But the pub giant says it's feeling the pinch as well, with soaring energy bills, staff wages and licensing costs. A spokesman for Stonegate said: "Our annual price review this year reflects the significant cost pressures and challenges faced by our sector over the last 12 months. "We are absolutely committed to supporting our publicans, enabling them to continue to play the vital role in the communities they serve." The rise lands just as the Government's controversial National Insurance hike kicked in earlier this month, hitting businesses hard. Employers now pay NICs at 15%, up from 13.8%, and the threshold was slashed from £9,100 to £5,000 in a move that's expected to raise £25billion for the Treasury. Why Guinness tastes better in Ireland The British Beer and Pub Association warned this could push the average pint price past the £5 mark, climbing from £4.80 to £5.01 with Stonegate's 4% hike only adding to the pressure. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: 'No one wants to see the cost of an average pint increase by a further 21p and break the £5 average pint barrier that will be required for pubs to maintain their punishingly slim profit margins.' She added that it is 'more urgent than ever' that the Government looks at ways to cap or reduce the cost of doing business so we can keep pubs open, preserve their community value and ensure the price of a pint remains affordable. Several chains have already put prices up to cope. Wetherspoons has recently hiked the price of some of its drinks and meal deals by up to 30p after a warning from its boss Tim Martin. Young's added 20p per pint, Mitchells and Butlers upped theirs by 15p, while Fuller's and Marston's hiked by 10p. Chancellor Rachel Reeves insists the changes were put in place to protect workers, but economists say it'll be punters who end up footing the bill, with many businesses forced to pass on costs to survive. What are employer National Insurance contributions (NICs)? CONSUMER reporter Sam Walker tells you everything you need to know. Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are effectively a tax on businesses used to cover social security benefits like Universal Credit and the state pension. NICs are also paid by workers and the self-employed. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), NICs are the UK's second-biggest tax, expected to bring in around £170billion this financial year. Employers only pay NICs on workers' salaries from a certain threshold. This is currently £9,100 but will drop to £5,000 from April 6. Those of state pension age or older do not have to pay NICs, but employers with workers aged 66 or older have to pay NICs on their earnings. The increase in Alcohol duty rates back in February have also forced pubs to increase rates, passing the rise to customers. Alcohol duty is charged on all drinks which are more than 1.2% ABV strength, either at the point of production or when they are imported. Another blow to pubs was the new waste packaging tax introduced earlier this month. The new tax meant products sold in glass bottles could rise by 10p, once again forcing pub owners to offset the costs onto consumers. The moves have been branded a "perfect storm" for price hikes. What is happening in the hospitality industry? It's not just pubs feeling the squeeze. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said food prices will rise by 4.2% in the later part of this year. Retail giants like Greggs, M&S, Currys and Next have all warned they'll have to hike prices too. Sausage rolls at Greggs are already up from £1.25 to £1.30. Next says the NICs hike will cost them £67million, forcing a 'reluctant' 1% price rise. Halfords, Royal Mail, and Primark have also hinted at higher costs ahead. Stonegate, which previously sparked backlash with its 'dynamic pricing' policy that saw pints cost more during busy periods, says it's invested over £100million in its venues, including flashy revamps like Rita's Beerhall in Leeds, to bring punters back in. But with beer prices bubbling over and landlords threatening to quit, critics warn this latest hike could be the final nail for the great British local.
