Forever Edinburgh: CAMRA urges Edinburgh to celebrate great Scottish beer and local pubs

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is urging people to support their local and get back down the pub from today as most of the country moves into level two restrictions on the Scottish government’s roadmap to recovery.

Let us know what you think and join the conversation at the bottom of this article.

As restrictions ease and indoor alcohol sales are allowed again in most of the country, the consumer organisation is asking as many people as possible to use their local pubs and social clubs, and to choose drinks from local and independent brewers and cider producers, to help local businesses recover from the pandemic.

Nik Antona, CAMRA Chairman said: “Pubs matter and are a vital part of our communities across Scotland. As we mark this next milestone in the lifting of lockdown, I’m urging everyone who can to get back down to their local pub, social club or brewery taproom.

CAMRA is urging people to support their local and get back down the pub from today as most of the country moves into level two restrictions

“People are really looking forward to socialising safely without being subject to our notorious weather, as well as enjoying all the social and wellbeing benefits of having a pint at the local.

“It is also vital that we give as much support as possible to local breweries and cider producers as well as to our pubs so that they can survive and thrive after an exceptionally difficult year.

“For those going back to the pub today please be patient and courteous with pub staff who are doing their jobs in difficult circumstances and with a few extra rules than we are used to when we visit our local.

“Whilst indoor opening today is a significant step in the right direction, many pubs will still struggle to make ends meet due to restrictions on the amount of customers they can serve. We are urging the Scottish Government to commit to lifting all remaining restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so, so that we can see a return to pubs operating at full capacity, with customers jostling for space and being able to chat with friendly faces while perched on a stool at the end of the bar.

“CAMRA is also calling on the UK Government to cut tax on draught beer served in pubs to help encourage pub-going and give our locals a better chance to compete with cheaper supermarket alcohol in the months and years ahead.”

The Evening News is supporting Forever Edinburgh, a joint campaign between the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) and VisitScotland. This encourages people to rediscover the city, its stories and places while supporting local businesses, promoting attractions, shops, bars and restaurants as lockdown eases.