Fortunately, pressure from the drinks industry forced the government to think again, so now pubs in England (Scotland & Wales have their own separate rules), will now be able to sell takeaway beer and cider, during November’s lockdown, as long as the drinks are pre-ordered by phone or online. Customers can collect their orders, as long as they do not enter the premises.
The U-turn comes as a relief to licensees and pub bosses who had warned that the ban would result in thousands of gallons of beer being poured down the drain. Takeaway sales will form a vital lifeline to local pubs and breweries over the next four weeks, providing them with much needed income. It will also prevent a substantial amount of perfectly drinkable beer from being wasted.
The message now to all drinkers and pub lovers is, please
support your local pub, bar or brewery with your custom, and help them get through
what, for most, is an extremely challenging and difficult period. I shall be
doing my bit, by ordering essential supplies from both local pubs and breweries, and am currently investigating what's available at the moment.
It is also encouraging to read that some pub owning companies and brewers, including Punch and Marston’s, have announced rent reductions for licensees over the 28-day period.
2 comments:
This was of course only a partial U-turn, although in practice it will allow many pubs to do pretty much what they were doing during the first lockdown anyway.
I really don't think that pubs serving pints that people were then drinking in the street were at all commonplace, and a closed container restriction would deal with that.
You are correct on both counts Mudge, and I'd agree that very little drinking in the street actually occurred. The anti-pub media inflated this story out of all proportion - no surprises there!
I do think though, that given we're heading into winter, it's petty and spiteful not allowing customers to step inside, to collect their pre-paid drink orders. Having to knock on the door, like some illegal speakeasy, really does show this mean-spirited government in its true colours.
Post a Comment