‘Drinking’ alliance vows to support global café, bar and restaurant culture

The custodians of some of the world's most iconic and popular beer, wine, and spirits brands have pledged to help revive the global cafe, bar and restaurant culture impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) said the pandemic is presenting an unprecedented global challenge of protecting lives while also safeguarding livelihoods and communities. The alliance is composed of CEOs from global beer, wine and spirits producers such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, Asahi Group Holdings, Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg, Diageo, Heineken, Kirin Holdings Company, Molson Coors, Pernod Ricard, and William Grant & Sons.
The sudden closure of cafés, restaurants, and bars brought into sharp focus how many livelihoods depend on these venues, IARD said. It also highlighted how vital this dining and drinking culture is to the social fabric and emotional wellbeing of communities.
"By working together, with all key partners, we can help rebuild a safe and thriving café, bar, and restaurant culture that can flourish despite the uncertain times," the alliance said. "Through a whole-of-society response, we can once again create a welcoming environment that has been missed by many."
Thus as governments allow venues to reopen, the group will work alongside retailers and other business partners to support appropriate physical distancing measures. "We will also use our marketing, promotion of responsible service, and server training programmes to help prevent harmful drinking from threatening the safe and sociable atmosphere that communities want to enjoy," IARD explained.
With the pandemic accelerating the growth of online sales and home delivery of beer, wine, and spirits, the group also pledge to support the development of global e-commerce standards and safeguards for online marketing, sales, and delivery services.
“As we emerge from this pandemic, we will continue constructive dialogue with national governments, international organisations, experts, and civil society to understand better what we can do to raise standards and protect lives, livelihoods, and communities,” the group concluded. (Image from Unsplash).