Pubs and bars sceptic of NTIA chief's Euros comments

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, believes England’s success at the international football tournament ‘inadvertently saved’ the sector, generating nearly £1 billion in additional revenue.

However, businesses here in Mid Cheshire don’t seem to agree, with many actually experiencing quieter weekends as a result of Sunday’s final.

Angie Uren, who runs the Red Lion in Winsford and three other county pubs, feels the Euros had the ‘opposite effect' of saving the industry.

“All my businesses were quieter during the Euros,” she said.

“The supermarkets had offers on their drink and other free trade pubs were able to offer reduced drinks during the games. We can’t compete with that being tied to breweries.

“We also saw a decline in trade over the weekend as people were waiting, so no it didn’t help mine in any way.”

Landlord of the Vale Royal Abbey Arms, Steve Harvey, added: "We generally don’t show the football as we run more like a restaurant than a pub, therefore the Euros didn’t really do anything to help us.

"If anything it had a negative effect during the last few England matches as people weren’t visiting in order to go watch the match elsewhere instead."

Industry bosses claimed the Euros 'saved' the sector (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

Angie believes a VAT cut is needed for the hospitality industry and has also called for supermarkets to stop selling alcohol so cheaply.

Lewis Parfitt, who co-owns Fortysevens in Winsford, also feels a VAT cut would help.

He said: “The Euros just pushed demand to sports venues, so food venues like myself didn’t necessarily see any increase in sales. We had our quietest Friday since opening for example.

“So, I can speak for the majority in that the Euros hasn’t made a particularly large impact in the sector.

“There needs to be VAT relief for hospitality to combat consumers moving to staying at home.

“Independent venues need specialist support to compete with large chains and that’s where a reduced VAT rate would help.”

Fortysevens hours before kick-off on Sunday (Image: Supplied)

Echoing the call for Government support, co-owner of Northwich’s Salty Dog, Chris Mundy, said: “I think it’s a bit short-sighted to suggest a sector can be ‘saved’ by a handful of busy nights.

“The Euros are great, England had a good run, and the impact on business is definitely positive, but that alone isn't going to turn the tide when venues and breweries are closing on a weekly basis.

“Hopefully the new government will take a look at the hospitality sector and high street retail in general and decide our town centres are important to the local communities they serve and worthy of meaningful support.”

Elsewhere, Middlewich Football Club enjoyed a positive boost at a time when the clubhouse is usually at its quietest.

Vice chairman Mark Morris said: “The Euros definitely benefited the club at a time of the year when we are normally quiet.

“We saw an increase in sales, that was very useful to the club but not club-changing.

“The atmosphere for the last three England games was fantastic with the venue packed to capacity, with a great family vibe.”