St Austell: ‘Long road to recovery’

Trading at the weekend was “significantly lower” than last year, reinforcing the need for long term support for the pub sector, St Austell CEO Kevin Georgel has said.

Georgel said feedback had been positive, with the West Country group reportedly giving guests a safe and comfortable welcome back.

But despite what he called a steady start, he cautioned it would be a “long road to recovery”.

Georgel said: “Our trading across the weekend was significantly lower than last year and is likely to remain this way, until consumer confidence fully returns. We’re therefore urging the Chancellor for extended support for hospitality – by cutting VAT, beer duty and business rates – until we can get back to a sustainable trading level.

“Pubs have been at the very heart of their communities, in good times and bad, for hundreds of years. The industry needs longer-term support, to ensure that pubs are protected for future generations.”