The inaugural ‘National Local Day’ took place this week, with hundreds of pubs around the country benefitting from a push to get patrons back into ‘the local’.
Earlier this month Lion declared Tuesday, 23 March 2021 to be the inaugural National Local Day, acknowledging a year since Australian pubs closed for the first time ever, as the world was plunged into turmoil.
The big brewer provided $15 #NationalLocalDay Mastercard vouchers in a campaign to encourage everyone to get into to their local and show support. The credit was available via the MMY app or published QR codes.
The campaign garnered support at all levels, with even Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg recognising the economic benefits.
“#NationalLocalDay is a great initiative to encourage Australians to support our much-loved local venues who employ hundreds of thousands of people and keep our communities connected,” the Treasurer posted on Instagram.
Despite easing restrictions and continued very low or no case numbers, many operators around Australia are yet to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. National Local Day furthers Lion’s support of pubs, injecting another more than half a million dollars into licensed venues.
Managing director James Brindley suggested 23 March 2020 was the “darkest day in history” for pubs and clubs and a host of interacting industries.
“Not only was it the first-time pubs and clubs had to shut their doors to their communities – ever, but it was also the first-time major breweries like Castlemaine Perkins and Tooheys have ever had to turn off their keg lines.”
Brindley cited plans to have National Local Day become an annual event to commemorate the crisis.
“We should never take these venues – and the invaluable role they play in bringing Australian communities together – for granted.”
