brixton brewery launches ‘yes we cans’ beers and free photo id booths to get people voting

South London is coming to Brighton this week as Brixton Brewery launches its ‘Yes We Cans’ initiative to raise awareness of the controversial rule change that means you now have to take photo ID to next week’s local elections to be allowed to vote in person.

The brewery’s campaign was prompted by research that showed that an estimated 3.5 million people in the UK don’t have any photo ID.

And, according to recent data from market research firm 3Gem, a quarter of the 2,000 people they polled weren’t sure where to get or update photo ID, while over 20 percent of Gen Z said they didn’t know where their photo ID was. Yikes.

So, to highlight the new regulation and help people out, the brewery are bringing a pop-up photo ID booth and campaign-branded beers, coasters and glasses to two popular Brighton venues this week. Everyone who takes part can also have one free beer per person (responsible drinking all the way!).

“We believe every voter matters and every vote counts!  No vote is no voice and the new regulations must be more clearly communicated because our research shows people simply aren’t aware of the changes around photo ID.… We’re stepping in to raise awareness and provide a helping hand. We want to help empower not just our local community in Brixton, but everyone, so that we’re all armed with the right information and tools to make our voices heard. It’s never been more important than now,” said Brixton Brewery co-founder Xochitl Benjamin.

So, from 3pm on Tuesday 25th April, you can pop down to the North Laine Brewhouse on Gloucester Place for a mugshot and on Wednesday 26th, the free-to-use booth will be at the World’s End on London Road. The booths are super simple to use, so you can put the world to rights over a drink and be well on your way to getting a new ID (or just some nice pics). After all, where better to get stuck into some lively political debate than over a pint at the pub, right?

Just another word on those IDs: if you don’t have an accepted photo ID (eg a photo card driving licence or a UK passport, you can see the full list here), you’ve still got time to get your pics taken and use them to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (by 5pm on Tuesday 25th April) or another form of photo ID to allow you to vote in person at the local elections on Thursday, 4th May.

Don’t worry if your photo ID has expired though, providing you don’t look wildly different and haven’t changed your name, you’re good to go.

See you at the pub for pics, pints and politics!

Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th April; from 3pm
North Laine Brewhouse (Tuesday), 27 Gloucester Place, Brighton, BN1 4AA
World’s End (Wednesday), 60 – 61 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JE
brixtonbrewery.com