British pubs call for help as lockdown poses biggest challenge to survival

The novel coronavirus is a "real test" for Britain's pubs, according to a trade body that is pressing the government for more support aimed at helping the sector survive the lockdown.

"This is a crisis for the industry that they have not seen before," said Emma McClarkin, chief executive officer of the British Beer and Pub Association.

"We have seen the pub industry survive two world wars, and a global economic downturn, but whether they will survive coronavirus, that is a real test, because this is the first time they have been closed completely, with zero trade."