Beer sales tumble in November

The continued On-Trade beer sales volumes decline prompts a call for halt to duty rises.

Beer sales tumbled by nearly ten per cent in the run up to Christmas 2007, compared with the same period in 2006.

According to statistics from within the industry, beer volumes fell by 9.7 per cent in November as pubs continue to feel the backlash against the smoking ban.

Beer volumes have only increased once (April 2006) in the last two years.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, told thepublican.com that the government needed to take these statistics into account when looking at duty levels for beer.

"We are all aware that the last few months have been incredibly difficult for both brewers and the on-trade. Any figures rom this period reinforce the need for special treatment from government," he said.

Full article at: www.thepublican.com