Wetherspoons boss refutes Brexit link to beer shortages

Wetherspoons boss refutes Brexit link to beer shortages

Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has hit back at those who mocked him after some of his pubs ran out of Heineken, Carling and Coors.

The pub chain chief and outspoken Brexit supporter said “strenuous efforts” were being made to link beer shortages with the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Mr Martin insisted pumps had run dry mainly because of industrial action by drivers and warehouse staff acting on behalf of Heineken.

He said: “Strenuous efforts are being made to link supply issues to Brexit. In this case the main link relates to industrial action. Brexit gave the power to the UK government to allow more HGV drivers in, should it choose to do so.

“It has been widely reported that there are shortages of 400,000 HGV drivers in Germany, France and Spain, for example.”

‘Pockets of pressure’

He added: “While overall our availability is good, there are intermittent pockets of pressure in our supply network that are unfortunately affecting a number of Wetherspoons pubs.

“We’re working around the clock with our customers and third-party logistics partners to ensure we minimise any impact to our customers.”

The Road Haulage Association said last week there was a shortage of about 100,000 truck drivers, with many having left during the pandemic and not returned.

Sign up to our newsletter and get all the latest LCN content here >>>http://eepurl.com/deVW