​Emeny: Social distancing could be ‘catastrophic’ for pubs

Fuller’s CEO Simon Emeny has warned company revenue could be down by as much as 80% under social distancing measures.

Emeny told BBC News a heavily restricted reopening scenario for pubs would be more catastrophic than remaining closed.

He said: “If you think of the practical problems, of going to the loo, going to the bar, being served a plate of food, and you align that with the fact you go to the pub to socialise with friends, it simply wouldn’t be the same having a two metre gap, it would be a very soulless experience.

“It would mean our revenue could be down by as much as 80%, and costs would go up.

“It could actually be more catastrophic for the sector to operate under social distancing than for us to be closed down as we are at the moment.”