Barworkers see hours fall as five million sign up for Dry January
Workers at Ashton Lane’s bar and restaurant Brel have seen their hours dramatically fall during the Dry January period.
Some workers have seen their hours decrease by almost 88%, forcing many to reconsider their employment or look for a second job to make ends meet.
Barman Fraser Gray said: “At the beginning of January on New Years’ Day, we were really busy as nowhere else was open, but since then shifts have disappeared.
Any other time of the year I can work 30 to 40 hours easily, but this month I’m struggling to meet my full time hours. I’m working between five to 10 hours, which is a massive drop.
“It’s made me consider a second job to keep things afloat.”
More than five million Brits signed up to Dry January this year – up by a million from 2018 and highlighting the change in health and lifestyle Brits are experiencing.
The worry comes after a Campaign for Real Ale announced an average of 18 pubs are closing a week.
Pub bosses fear struggling breweries will not be able to cope with such a deep dip in trade, with a knock on effect to staff at bars and pubs, threatening their livlihood. As a measure to tackle this crisis, landlords launched ‘Tryanuary’ in 2015 to encourage beer fans to support independent breweries during the first month of the year.
In Edinbrugh, Tryanuary returned with six specially made beers to support local brewers and pubs. Scottish brewers involved include Camperva, Stewart Brewing and Top Out.
The campaign is also supporting the charity The Benevolent, which provides support and help to former and current employees of the drinks industry. They work in partnership with the drinks industry to ‘help colleagues facing issues such as financial hardship, loneliness, serious illness and disability’.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said catering for those who decide to take on Dry January has never been easier.
He said: “For those who might wish to abstain in January, there are plenty of reasons to continue to support local pubs.
“Following significant investment, the range of low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers have been increasing.”
