Pubs manage to retain takeaway service in lockdown
PUB landlords are celebrating after Parliament overturned proposed laws that would have banned them from offering takeaway pints during lockdown.
Many boozers across Burton and South Derbyshire sold takeaway alcohol during the nation’s first Covid lockdown that started in March.
With Boris Johnson’s announcement on Saturday of a second lockdown to try to curb the spread of Covid-19, meaning pubs are closed again from today, landlords hoped the same takeaway rules would apply.
However, they were left surprised that the Government was proposing to ban the sale of takeaway pints, saying the reason would be revealed during the vote in Parliament yesterday.
Real ale group the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) national chairman Nik Antona called the proposed ban a “baffling and damaging decision”, particularly when other businesses such as supermarkets could continue to sell takeaway alcohol.
Camra later wrote to the Cabinet Office, which is at the heart of the Government’s co-ordination efforts to tackle Covid, to demand the removal of the restriction. Burton MP Kate Griffiths told the Burton Mail she would be raising this issue with ministers at
“every possible opportunity”.
Then on Tuesday, Parliament amended the legislation and overturned the proposed ban on takeaway alcohol.
Ms Griffiths said: “I am delighted that the Government has amended the proposed legislation for the lockdown which will now allow the sale of takeaway alcohol from pubs provided it is pre-ordered.
“I have been raising with ministers the negative impact on pubs and breweries had they not been able to sell alcohol for takeaway during the lockdown period.
“Having spoken to many publicans in my constituency, I know what a lifeline this was during the spring lockdown and allowed minimal cash flows to continue. “I am pleased the Government have listened and have made this amendment for the benefit of Burton’s pubs and British brewing.”
Pubs that sold takeaway alcohol in the first lockdown included The Golden Cup in Yoxall, the Red Lion in Newborough and the Burton Bridge Inn.
A spokesman for the Burton Bridge Inn said it was great news, adding it would never have been feasible to offer a delivery service instead.