Pubs could run out of beer for Bank Holiday after lorry driver strike

PUBS are being crippled by a beer shortage caused by a lorry drivers’ strike over pay.

And despite the industrial action coming to an end after a deal was struck yesterday, brewers have warned it will take ages before ­supplies return to normal.

Boozers across Britain have been left almost dry of beer and wine, with some facing running out within days.

Many have said they are considering closing on weekdays. Landlords say Heineken, Fosters, John Smiths, Kronenbourg, Amstel and Strongbow have been virtually impossible to get.

Some fear having to shut for next weekend’s Bank Holiday.

Around 1,000 workers at GXO Logistics — responsible for 40 per cent of UK beer deliveries — have called off their walk-out after a four per cent pay deal.

But brewer Heineken said: “It will take some time to get the network back to capacity.”

The crisis came as pubs try to claw back billions of pounds lost during Covid lockdowns.

A national shortage of truckers due to Brexit and Covid has made matters worse.

Landlord Ian Ward, of The Spring Vale Inn, in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, said: “We’re really low and may have to shut Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.”

Ben Davis, manager of the Drunken Dragon, in Bicknacre, Essex, said: “We’ve been struggling for weeks and the problem seems to be getting worse.”

John Wray, owner of the Venue, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, said: “There’s a growing concern we could run out.”