There has been a 40 per cent upswing in patron confidence for pubs and clubs, a national survey by Diageo has found.
The research found 82 per cent of Australians felt confident returning to their local pub, club or bar, compared to 58 per cent in August 2020. Two thirds said they thought about COVID-19 when they were out at a pub with 34 per cent saying they would leave a venue or ask for sanitiser if they didn’t see supplies available.
While the was an increase in confidence, only one in three (36 per cent) are visiting the pub as frequently as before COVID-19.
Diageo Australia managing director Angus McPherson said this underlined how challenging it has been for the hospitality industry.
He said the market research was conducted as part of Bundaberg Rum’s Raising the Bar initiative, which has provided 1300 venues with COVID-19 supplies so far. Hand sanitiser, dispenser stations, masks, gloves, floor demarcations and digital thermometers had been distributed.
In March 2020, Diageo pledged more than eight million bottles of hand sanitiser for front line workers, with Bundaberg Distilling producing 100,000 litres.
http://www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/news/covid-19-qld-alcohol-producers-fuel-sanitiser-supply
In regards to Raising the Bar, McPherson said: “When we decided to make this investment, we knew that hospitality venues needed a helping hand to recover from the pandemic, to ease the cost burden of maintaining a Covid-safe environment for their staff and their patrons.”
“Our pubs and clubs have been really doing it tough throughout the pandemic. We are determined to support them and ensure their loyal patrons feel confident that they can return to their local and socialise as safely as possible.”
Any licenced venue can apply for the support through Diageo Australia.
