The advertising and marketing industry has welcomed the Government announcement on the further easing of lockdown, insisting the “strategic, creative, technological and production capabilities” of the sector will play a vital role in the UK recovery.
Under the plans, pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers will be able to open from July 4 in England, when the 2 metre social distancing rule will be eased to “one metre plus”.
British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said the decision was “an important step” but conceded that it is just the first step on what will be a very long road to recovery for the sector.
She added: “Whilst the Government hasn’t given us the three weeks minimum notice we asked for to get our pubs ready for reopening, thankfully as an industry we already started our preparations to ensure our pubs were ready to open when we were given the green light.
“We do have significant concerns over the collection and storage of personal customer data when visiting the pub. We welcome the Prime Minister’s pledge to work with the sector to make this manageable as it poses significant logistical challenges. We will work with Government on how we could help collect data for track and trace purposes.”
Other facilities which will be able to open include holiday apartments, campsites and caravan parks, while theatres and music halls can open too but they will not be allowed to hold live performances. Hair salons must also put in place protective measures, such as visors.
The list also includes funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks, amusement arcades, skating rinks and model villages, as well as indoor attractions where animals are exhibited, such as at zoos, aquariums, farms, safari parks and wildlife centres.
However, indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail bars and indoor play areas will remain closed, as they have been since lockdown started on March 23.
Advertising Association chief executive Stephen Woodford commented: “Advertising plays a vital role in building consumer confidence and increasing economic activity and with the lockdown continuing to ease, this role has never been more important as we set out on the road to recovery.
“The reduction in social distancing announced today will be welcomed by colleagues across the creative industries in cinemas, museums and other cultural venues, as well as by the tourism and hospitality sector, which all depend on advertising to reach their customers.
“UK advertising, with its brilliant combination of strategic, creative, technological and production capabilities, will play a crucial role in the recovery.”
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