The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has reiterated calls for HGV drivers to be added to the shortage occupation list or at the very least a temporary visa system put in place with immediate effect to ease the delivery problems plaguing licensees. It says that HGV driver shortage was being felt particularly hard in Scotland, but that brewers, pub operators and logistics partners are working round the clock to fulfil as many deliveries as possible.
It reiterated that the entire food and drink sector – as well as many other sectors – were all struggling with the same HGV driver shortage and that brewers large and small have struggled to fulfil orders, with managed pub estates, leased and tenanted pubs and the independent free trade having all struggled with deliveries.
Said Emma McClarkin (pictured), Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, “From large brewers and managed pub operators, to smaller breweries, leased and tenanted pubs and the independent free trade, the HGV driver shortage is affecting the entirety of our sector.
“As a sector we are working with third-party logistics partners around the clock to ensure as many deliveries as possible. Brewers are actively looking at ways they can still do deliveries as are pub operators trying to get supplies to tenants and lessees.
“It is a testament to the resilience of our sector that it is going all out to fulfil deliveries, while brands like Nando’s are simply closing.
“Whilst we are grateful for Government engagement to date on the issue of the driver shortage, it is clear the immediate situation will not be rectified without their intervention.
“Adding HGV drivers to the shortage occupation list or temporary visas will be is essential to helping stabilise the current situation and help us at this critical time in our recovery.”
After the turmoil of last 18 months licensees’ drinks deliveries are arriving late or getting cancelled because of supplier issues caused by a shortage of drivers, a scarcity of warehouse workers and no end in sight thanks to strike action planned by draymen this month and next.
The Unite Union has said they lost up to £10,000 in a year due to furlough and lack of overtime — with no pay increase for 2020, so strike action is planned for the 24th and 25th August and the 2nd and 3rd September.
Gavin Stevenson, owner of the Mor-Rioghain Group, which owns Gellions and Monty’s in Inverness and the Mains of Scotstown in Aberdeen told DRAM, “We had our delivery cancelled by Star Bars/Heineken on the first Friday of full trading after Level 0 ended, and we only had notice about it on the Thursday after 4pm.
“This was despite contacting our BDM several times during the week to check our delivery status and advising them that for such a big order we’d need plenty of advance notice if there were to be issues. As it was we were able to source beer from elsewhere, but this involved some frantic last minute sourcing of product, and then an all night work shift for a team of drivers moving stock from over 100 miles away. “
Gavin says this is unacceptable at a critical time when small businesses are attempting to get back on their feet and is putting their long-term survival at risk.
“It’s completely unacceptable that beleaguered pubs are facing these issues now in the first couple of weeks of viable trading after 18 months of Covid losses. The disruption and stress caused by the breweries lack of ability to contingency-plan is putting small Scottish businesses at risk, and given the vast resources of the big multi-national companies involved, such total failure to ensure adequate supply is inexcusable.”
Stephen Montgomery, spokesperson of the Scottish Hospitality Group, says the situation is throwing planning up in the air and adding to stress levels at what is already a stressful time.
“This is affecting everybody. Nobody can plan. That’s the issue here. I put in an order for delivery on Friday and it never showed. Luckily, my rep had bunkered some kegs so we got some on Friday night, but I had to go scrambling around for spirits and wine to get stock for the weekend. Then my wine order arrived on Saturday morning, so I ended up with double stock. “
Stephen says that this is the last thing that the trade needs after being closed for the last 18 months, with no end in sight because of the planned strike action by draymen.
He said, “It’s the panic of not knowing. It’s adding to our stress levels that have already and with four days of strike action ahead, we’re treading water and have this to contend with on top of interview no-shows in a massive staff shortage and staff resigning, staff self isolating, HMRC banging on the door looking for money, and the threat of closure, this is the last thing we need.”
And the problem is made even worse for pubs that are tied and Gavin Stevenson is calling for urgent action to resolve the issue.
“Worse still, where pubs are tied, no alternative arrangements are being agreed in advance of the delivery actually being cancelled at the last minute, leaving publicans scrambling to find supply with little or no notice and often being unable to do so.
“It is imperative that the pub companies and breweries now get their act together and resolve these delivery issues, and also communicate with customers much further in advance if deliveries are to be disrupted.”