Brexit-backed Wetherspoon has become the latest company to be hit by supply chain issues as the pub giant faces a shortage of popular beer brands.
Carling and Coors are not available at some branches as supermarkets, pubs and restaurants continue to be plagued by supply issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a shortage of truck drivers as a result of the UK exit from the EU.
The McDonald’s fast food franchise ran out of milkshakes and bottled drinks at outlets in England, Scotland and Wales last week, while the Costa coffee chain saw its supply of panini and in affected decaffeinated coffee beans.
Other big names such as Greggs, Nando’s, KFC, Co-op and Iceland have also been hit by supply issues.
Britain’s departure from the European Union has contributed to a massive drop in the number of truck drivers available to transport goods, as has the rise in wages in their home country, according to the Tesco boss.
JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin was a strong supporter of Brexit, and his ads promoted the idea of the UK leaving the EU for drinkers during the referendum campaign.
Images shared on social media showed notices apparently posted in a Wetherspoon pub this week, warning customers of a shortage of certain beers.
Graham Hughes shared a photo on Twitter of a sign that read, “We regret to inform you that we are out of stock from Carling, Coors and Bud Light.
“Due to supply issues related to the lack of truck drivers and strike actions that are beyond our control [sic]. “
JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon confirmed that the chain is facing supply issues.
He said in a statement: “We are having supply issues with Carling and Coors, which means some ads do not have the products available.
“We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience caused.
“We know the brewers are trying to solve the problem.”
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has estimated that as many as 20,000 EU heavy truck drivers left during the Brexit process, adding to a crisis that has left the country short of around 100 000 truck drivers in total.
Reports suggest that “pingemia” caused by coronavirus self-isolation requirements has also been a factor, while McDonald’s and others have been hit by a shortage of manufacturing workers.
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Source: www.independent.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-09-01 16:19:24