Fears pubs could RUN OUT of Guinness before Christmas as bosses hold crunch talks over ‘surge in demand’ for drink
PUBS fear they could run out of Guinness before Christmas as bosses hold crunch talks over "exceptional" demand.
Lovers of the Irish pint may feel their festive cheer dwindling amid a potential shortage next month.
A spokesperson for Diageo told : "Over the past month we have seen exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in GB.
"We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible."
Industry experts believe, while there is not yet data available, that events such as the Autumn Rugby Internationals have caused a spike in sales.
The latest figures from the CGA show the volumes of keg in October saw a 20% hike year on year.
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Meanwhile, the most recently recorded data from CGA's Managed EPOS database for the four weeks up to November 2 showed Guinness is in 18.8% growth since last year.
This has triggered concerns among pub owners and punters that supply may be low across the Christmas period.
A Pubco insider confirmed they were aware of the issues and are in talks with Diageo and solutions.
It comes as boozers were outraged after it was announced a dozen popular beers are set to be axed from pubs over Christmas.
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Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) is ditching 11 classic British cask beers in a matter of weeks.
The bizarre decision is said to have a "huge impact" on pubs and pub-goers.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) were the first to spot the delisting, slamming the decision as "another example of a globally owned business wiping out UK brewing heritage".
The organisation's Cider and Perry campaigns director and vice chair Gillian Hough fumed: "This loss of consumer choice is the inevitable outcome of a brewing conglomerate run by accountants and the bottom line.
"This is a sad and disappointing decision that puts both the history and the future of British brewing in jeopardy."
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoons has revealed when 664 pubs will open on Christmas Day – is one near you?
The pub giant has revealed to The Sun the complete list of 664 branches that will open on December 25.
Venues across the country - from Scotland to Kent - will open their doors and give families and friends a chance to get together and raise a toast to the festive season.
Wetherspoon will be serving a variety of drinks, including draught pints, spirits, wine and fizz.
If you like to plan ahead, you can find the drinks offered at your local Wetherspoons on the chain's website.
All branches on the list will stay open for four hours from 11am to 3pm.
But it's important to note that pubs will not serve food, so you'll have to make alternative plans for your Christmas lunch.
The Sun has asked Wetherspoon pubs if kitchens in its airport pubs will be open and we will update this article once we hear back.
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This includes sites in London Gatwick, Heathrow and Birmingham airports.
You can find your nearest Wetherspoons using the pub locator tool on its website.
List of Wetherspoons pubs opening on Christmas Day
WETHERSPOON has revealed the full list of pubs that will open on Christmas Day.
You can check if your local is on the list here:
North East
- The Wouldhave, Southshields
- The William Jameson, Sunderland
- The Five Quarter, Peterlee
- The Ward Jackson, Hartlepool
- The Wicket Gate, Chester Le Street
- The Wild Boar, Houghton Le Spring
- The Hat and Feathers, Seaham
- The Highland Laddie, Norton
- The Half Moon Inn, Billingham
- The Tanners Hall, Darlington
- The Thomas Sheraton, Stockton
- The Plimsoll Line, Redcar
- The Ralph Fitz Randal, Richmond
- The Stanley Jefferson, Bishop Auckland
- The Grand Electric Hall, Spennymoor
- The Angel Hotel, Whitby
- The Horse Shoe Inn, Crook
- The Swatters Carr, Middlesbrough
- The Ironstone Miner, Guisborough
- The Fire Station, Whitley Bay
- The Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne
- The Central Bar, Carrickfergus
- The Job Bulman, Gosforth
- The Spirit Merchant, Newtownards
- The Tilley Stone, Gateshead
- The High Main, Byker
- The Ritz, Wallsend
- The Company Row, Consett
- The Rohan Kanhai, Ashington
- The Forum, Hexham
- The Sir William de Wessyngton, Washington
- The Wallaw, Blyth
- The Red Lion, Bedlington
- The Electrical Wizard, Morpeth
- The Harry Clasper, Whickham
- John The Clerk of Cramlington, Cramlington
Yorkshire and the Humber
- The Lord Rosebery, Scarborough
- The Yarborough Hotel, Grimsby
- The Sweyn Forkbeard, Gainsborough
- The Blue Bell Inn, Scunthorpe
- The Prior John, Bridlington
- The Three John Scotts, Kingston Upon Hull
- The Benjamin Fawcett, Driffield
- The Joseph Morton, Louth
- The White Horse, Brigg
- The Cross Keys, Beverley
- The Coliseum Picture Theatre, Cleethorpes
- The Winter Gardens, Harrogate
- The Devonshire Inn, Skipton
- The Myrtle Grove, Bingley
- The Livery Rooms, Keighley
- The Three Tuns, Thirsk
- The Unicorn Hotel, Ripon
- The Lister Arms, Ilkley
- The Clothier’s Arms, Yeadon
- The Crown Inn, Knaresborough
- The Buck Inn, Northallerton
- The Glass Blower, Castleford
- The City and County, Goole
- The Horseshoe, Wombwell
- The Punch Bowl, York
- The Joseph Bramah, Barnsley
- The Broken Bridge, Pontefract
- The Giant Bellflower, Selby
- The Blue Bell, Hemsworth
- The Barum Top Inn, Halifax
- The Six Chimneys, Wakefield
- The Richard Oastler, Brighouse
- The Cherry Tree, Huddersfield
- The Obediah Brooke, Cleckheaton
- The Union Rooms, Batley
- The Bowling Green, Otley
- The Picture House, Morley
- The Crossed Shuttle, Pudsey
- The Commercial Inn, Sowerby Bridge
- The Three Hulats, Chapel Allerton
- The Golden Beam, Headingley
- The Old Unicorn, Bramley
- The Briggate, Garforth
- Charles Henry Roe, Crossgates
- Stick or Twist, Leeds
- The Woodseats Palace, Sheffield
- The Church House, Wath Upon Dearne
- The Bluecoat, Rotherham
- The Rawson Spring, Hillsborough
- The Sheaf Island, Sheffield
- The Old Market Hall, Mexborough
- The Francis Newton, Sheffield
- The Queens Hotel, Maltby
- The Wagon & Horses, Chapeltown
- The Scarsdale Hundred, Sheffield
East Midlands
- The Babington Arms, Derby
- The Picture House, Sutton in Ashfield
- The Portland Hotel, Chesterfield
- The Liquorice Gardens, Worksop
- The Red Lion, Doncaster
- The Dominie Cross, Retford
- The Stag & Pheasant, Mansfield
- The Pillar of Rock, Bolsover
- The Tollemache Inn, Grantham
- The Red Lion, Skegness
- The Moon Under Water, Boston
- Ritz, Lincoln
- The Ivy Wall, Spalding
- The Packhorse Inn, Sleaford
- The Kettleby Cross, Melton Mowbray
- The Stamford Post, Stamford
- The Captain Noel Newton, Oakham
- The Raymond Mays, Bourne
West Midlands
- The Bottle of Sack, Sutton Coldfield
- The Elizabeth of York, Moseley
- The Bellwether, Wednesbury
- The Bole Bridge, Tamworth
- The Black Horse, Northfield
- The Mare Pool, Mere Green
- St. Matthew’s Hall, Walsall
- The Bloxwich Showman, Bloxwich
- The Avion, Aldridge
- The Pump House, Shirley
- The Navigation Inn, Kings Norton
- The Reginald Mitchell, Hanley
- The Counting House, Congleton
- The Wheatsheaf, Stoke on Trent
- The Wye Bridge House, Buxton
- The Bradley Green, Biddulph
- The Arnold Machin, Newcastle Under Lyme
- The Poste of Stone, Stone
- The Wheatsheaf, Cheadle
- The Green Dragon, Leek
- The George Inn, Sandbach
- The Picture House, Stafford
- The Lord Burton, Burton On Trent
- The Acorn Inn, Lichfield
- The Felix Holt, Nuneaton
- The Plaza, Rugeley
- The Linford Arms, Cannock
- The Monkey Walk, Coalville
- The Sir Nigel Gresley, Swadlincote
- The Bear & Ragged Staff, Bedworth
- The Old Swan, Uttoxeter
- The Shoulder of Mutton, Ashby De La Zouch
- The Hedgeford Lodge, Hednesford
- The Flying Standard, Coventry
- Golden Cross Hotel, Bromsgrove
- The Exchange, Banbury
- The Benjamin Satchwell, Leamington Spa
- The Old Swanne Inne, Evesham
- The Golden Bee, Stratford upon Avon
- The City Arms, Coventry
- The Thomas Lloyd, Warwick
- The Spon Gate, Coventry
- The Royal Enfield, Redditch
North West
- The Raven, Liverpool
- The Thomas Frost, Liverpool
- The Navigator, Liverpool
- The Childwall Fiveways Hotel, Liverpool
- The North Western, Liverpool
- The Captain Alexander, Liverpool
- Woodrow Wilson, Carlisle
- The Furness Railway, Barrow
- The Henry Bessemer, Workington
- The Miles Thompson, Kendal
- The Bransty Arch, Whitehaven
- The Dog Beck, Penrith
- The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Keswick
- The Trawl Boat Inn, Lytham St. Annes
- The Sir Richard Owen, Lancaster
- The Thomas Drummond, Fleetwood
- The Eric Bartholomew, Morecambe
- The Layton Rakes, Blackpool
- The Jolly Tars, Cleveleys
- The Railway Hotel, Lytham St. Annes
- The Poulton Elk, Poulton Le Fylde
- The Square Bottle, Chester
- The Penny Black, Northwich
- Hoylake Lights, Hoylake
- The Brass Balance, Birkenhead
- The Dee Hotel, West Kirby
- The Wheatsheaf, Ellesmere Port
- The Clairville, Wallasey
- The Queens Arms, Winsford
- The Prense Well, Heswall
- The Bull and Stirrup Hotel, Chester
South East
- The Penny Black, Bicester
- The Temeraire, Saffron Walden
- The William Morris, Cowley
- The Narrows, Abingdon
- The Port Jackson, Bishop's Stortford
- The Company of Weavers, Witney
- The Wheatsheaf Inn, Wisbech
- Globe Hotel, Kings Lynn
- The Draper’s Arms, Peterborough
- The George Hotel, Whittlesey
- The Romany Rye, East Dereham
- The Hippodrome, March
East of England
- The Bell Hotel, Norwich
- The Troll Cart, Great Yarmouth
- The Whiffler, Norwich
- The Golden Lion, Newmarket
- The Willow Tree, Stowmarket
- The Joseph Conrad, Lowestoft
- The Kings Head Hotel, Beccles
- The Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds
- The Red Lion, Thetford
- The William Adams, Gorleston
South West
- Wetherspoons, Milton Keynes
- The Pilgrim’s Progress, Bedford
- The Drabbet Smock, Haverhill
- Sandford House, Huntingdon
- The Weeping Ash, St. Neots
- The Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard
- The Manor House, Royston
- The Swan & Angel, St Ives
- The Crown Hotel, Biggleswade
- Captain Ridley’s Shooting Party, Bletchley
- The Three Magnets, Letchworth
- The Crown, Berkhamsted
- The Standing Order, Stevenage
- The Six Templars, Hertford
- The William Aylmer, Harlow
- The Gary Cooper, Dunstable
- The White Hart, Aylesbury
- The Angel Vaults Inn, Hitchin
- The Ernehale, Arnold
- The Joseph Else, Nottingham
- The Woodthorpe Top, Mapperley
- The Free Man, Carlton
- The Samuel Hall, Sherwood
- The Butter Cross, Bingham
- Trent Bridge Inn, West Bridgford
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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