Preparing to Reopen with Your BII Team

Dear ,

As you all look forward to reopening your businesses over the coming weeks, either initially outside in April or indoors from May, we have been pulling together our support to help you through this critical time. We understand the importance of getting back to full trading at the earliest opportunity to allow you all to begin the long road to recovery.

The Scottish Government announced plans to reopen hospitality next month, however we await confirmation on the details of this and other roadmaps across the devolved nations.

I have spoken directly to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – Kwasi Kwarteng, in the last few days to reinforce the critical importance of delivering the reopening roadmap for the future of our pubs in England, particularly around trading free of restrictions from the 21st June.

Backed by your insight on priorities we made the case for further support both directly to Government and aligned with the other key trade bodies. The short term measures announced in the budget, addressing many of the key priorities that you highlighted in our recent members survey, were broadly welcomed by many of you. In particular the business rates holiday, continued VAT reduction (although the exclusion of drinks remains disappointing) and the additional grants for all pubs.

We fully understand that this, whilst welcome, will not compensate for lost trading or fully address your ongoing costs whilst closed and only though trading freely will you now secure your futures. I will continue to engage Ministers and officials directly to ensure your voice and priorities continue to be represented at the highest level.

Your BII team, alongside its Trusted Partners, are working hard to provide you with essential, actionable information and advice. We have prepared and updated our interactive guides to support you as you reopen your businesses: