UK: Number of breweries slips back slightly in Q3

Tough trading conditions and rising costs have seen brewery numbers in the UK slip back slightly in the third quarter of 2023, according to the Society of Independent Brewer’s (SIBA) latest tracking figures.

Covering the period from the start of July to the end of September, the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker shows the net number of UK breweries, according to its records, dropped by nine.

“Brewery numbers have been more stable than many would have predicted, with no large percentage decreases, but it is still concerning to see numbers slip back slightly,” said SIBA chief executive Andy Slee.

“And whilst it was positive to see beer duty frozen in the Autumn Statement, the chancellor could have gone further and boosted the draught relief to 20% or more, which guarantees that beer sold in pubs has a lower rate of duty.

“When breweries are facing rampant costs from the increased national living wage, energy costs, and inflationary pressures, there was nothing extra in the Autumn Statement to cover this.”

He added: “Breweries closing is, of course, bad news for consumer choice, but even more than that it means many communities across the UK have lost a valued local business which provides jobs, contributes to the local economy, and provides a real community asset.”

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