U-turn on take-away sales gives pubs ‘vital lifeline’ during second lockdown
OUR pubs, like many other businesses, are facing a devastating second national lockdown but, unlike last time, ministers at first banned pubs from selling alcohol to take away during the closure period, thus depriving them of muchneeded income.
CAMRA and other concerned organisations argued that this would simply drive customers to supermarkets instead of allowing them to support local hospitality businesses that are already worried about going bankrupt.
CAMRA is pleased that the campaign to reverse this decision has been successful.
The Government U-turn now permits pubs to sell alcohol as takeaway or delivery, providing it has been preordered by phone or online. While this still puts pubs at a disadvantage compared to off-licences and supermarkets which have no such restriction, it is a distinct improvement upon the original complete ban.
CAMRA’s National Chairman Nik Antona said: “I am delighted that the Government has listened to the concerns of thousands of CAMRA members, concerned pub-goers, and beer lovers who have e-mailed their MPs in the last 48 hours urging the Government to allow pubs and breweries to sell alcohol as takeaway during the second lockdown.
“This is a vital lifeline for local pubs and breweries across England over the coming four weeks, giving them an income and allowing people to support local businesses.
“CAMRA continues to call on the Government to bring in a comprehensive, long-term financial support package to support all pubs and breweries through the lockdown and the tough months that will follow this winter.”
Doug Macadam, chair of the CAMRA Southport & West Lancs branch, added: “CAMRA has been fighting to make sure the beer sector gets enough support throughout the winter so that our locals, and the breweries that serve them, survive, but we must keep up the pressure on the government.
“Pubs, breweries and cider producers support hundreds of thousands of jobs and, without a financial package, it is increasingly likely that this second lockdown will force many to the wall.”
Pubs and breweries that are doing takeaways may publicise this on their Facebook pages or websites, where you should be able to find their contact details.
Some are offering such services through the Brew2You website.