NSW pubs and clubs offer free beer to patrons to mark COVID-19 lockdown anniversary

Australia’s hospitality industry took a brutal hit when COVID-19 struck, but today pubs are shouting patrons a round to celebrate our national resilience.

Free beer is flowing in pubs and clubs across Australia today, as venues mark one year since the COVID-19 lockdown.

It comes as floods ravage licenced venues in NSW and South East Queensland, an industry already among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

Carly Sims, licensee of The Exchange Hotel in Taree, is again left reeling after the Manning River burst its banks on Friday, submerging her restaurant and bottle shop under a metre of water.

Flood waters rise in Newcastle. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

“We were hit hard by the lockdown, and this has knocked us off our feet again,” said Ms Sims. “Things were just starting to look up for us. Now we’re again waiting for the sunshine.”

Today has been declared the inaugural ‘National Local Day’, with beverage giant Lion offering patrons $15 worth of credit at participating pubs and clubs in an event that celebrates the resilience of the ‘local’ over the past year, and the important role they play as a community hub.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is among those urging Australians to have a beer for their nation today, and support an industry that last year saw 400,000 hospitality workers lose their jobs overnight. “Something as simple as an extra visit to your local, or a restaurant or a bar to have a drink or a meal can make a big difference,” he said. “It means more hours for staff, an extra shift for a chef or bigger orders to our breweries.”

Locals from left Craig Moir, Kevin McMullan, Adam Mules, and Peter Small enjoying a beer at The Plough and Harrow Hotel in Camden. Publican Russ Lowe (behind the bar) has weathered the challenges of COVID-19 and has his sights set on recovery. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Lion Managing Director James Brindley said the floods have highlighted more than ever the importance of getting behind our local venues.

“One year on from the most devastating day our industry has ever seen, it’s hard to believe many parts of the country are now experiencing yet another natural disaster,” he said.

Even if you can’t get in to your local pub or club today to mark National Local Day, please remember they will need your support as they recover from this setback.”

To celebrate today’s National Local Day, click this link myyapp.com.au/digital-cashcard-faq.html and flow the prompts to download a $15 voucher to spend at your local Lion pub or club. The list of your local participating venues will appear when you register.

Originally published as NSW pubs and clubs offer free beer to patrons to mark COVID-19 lockdown anniversary