The Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, Stephen Kelly, has stated that craft brewers, distillers and cider makers are being unfairly hindered and disadvantaged during the lockdown restrictions as local off-licenses are only allowed to operate until 8pm, and with the latest clarification that pubs without designated off-sales have also been forced to stop, has significantly curtailed sales opportunities at a time when the hospitality sector has been forced to lock down.

The organisation has said that an urgent review of the 8pm closing time and the fact that some pubs have been halted from off-sales, despite their license allowing them, should be expedited so that the craft manufacturers have some sort of chance against trade going directly to multiple retailers at a time when they need it the most.

Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI said today: “Our craft brewers, distilleries and cideries are some of the most celebrated parts of our local food and drink scene, but the closure of their route to market through our pubs and restaurants has put them in jeopardy.”

“If there are no pubs to sell local craft products; a curfew time in local off-licenses; and now that pubs without designated off-sales have had to cease trading, how does the NI Executive think these producers are going to survive?”

“The Executive has said that it will do all it can to help, so we must now call on them to lift the ban on local pub off-sales and scrap the curfew for local off-licenses so that some level of sales can be achieved and make a real difference for the craft breweries, distillers and cideries.”