Keeping city pubs pie-eyed as city enters Tier Three
RESTAURANT PLAN TO SERVE UP ‘SUBSTANTIAL MEALS’
A NOTTINGHAM restaurant is offering a way for drinks-only pubs and bars to stay open after Tier Three restrictions are imposed on the city.
Under the rules, already being enforced in areas including Manchester and South Yorkshire, all pubs must close unless they sell “substantial meals”.
And there’s been much debate about what constitutes a “substantial meal” – but it’s certainly not four pints each accompanied by a bag of crisps.
According to Newark MP and Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick it’s “the sort of meal that you would expect to have as a midday meal or an evening meal. It would be like a main course, rather than, say, a packet of crisps or a plate of chips”.
A serving of pie and mash certainly meets the criteria and it could mean the difference between a pub staying open or closing.
And that is the solution being put forward by pie supremos Pieminister, who have a restaurant in Nottingham’s Long
Row. The company is offering pubs and bars their award-winning pie and mash menu.
All they need is a fridge, oven or microwave.
Served in Pieminister’s cardboard festival boxes, there’s no need to even invest in plates or worry about washing up.
All pubs would have to do is warm it up and serve.
“We make it super easy. We know a lot of publicans are finding it daunting but it does not have to be,” said business development manager Kate Walshaw.
“We have vegan, gluten-free and veggie and it’s substantial. It keeps businesses open for customers and staff.”
The take-up in Manchester has been strong, added Kate, and there have been inquiries from South Yorkshire, which entered Tier Three on Saturday.
“We have always done this but it’s particularly pertinent for a lot of businesses at the moment that we’re able to do this for them.
“Most pubs, even if they are not serving food, will probably have a fridge and oven on site.”