Boss’s fury at dry pub idea to stop Covid

WETHERSPOONS boss Tim Martin said the Government should take a “wise-up pill” if it is planning to ban alcohol in pubs as lockdown is eased.

The Daily Telegraph reported a booze ban was being considered by ministers for when pubs reopen in April or May.

Around 87 million pints of beer worth £33million have been poured away since the pandemic began.

Mr Martin said: “Pubs would be massively unprofitable without selling their normal range of drinks – and most pubs are beyond skint already.”

Industry groups also attacked the idea.

A senior Government source yesterday denied that plans for dry pubs had been drawn up.

THE search for missing British hiker

Esther Dingley may not resume around the peak in the Pyrenees where she was last seen until July, say police.

Mountain rescue experts involved in last year’s operation have admitted they have no plans to restart the search until April, but heavy snow could delay them for months more. Sergeant Jorge Lopez Ramos, head of the mountain rescue team in Benasque, where Esther, 37, was based before her November 22 disappearance, said: “The peak where we know Esther last made contact with her partner is nearly 9,000ft above sea level, so it will be a while before the snow there thaws and we can see what’s underneath it.

“And at the moment there’s a risk of avalanches, which makes it dangerous. We really are at the mercy of the weather.” He added: “We’ve had no more information pointing to any last-minute changes of route Esther might have made. “The area around Pico Salvaguardia, where we understand she last made contact with her boyfriend, is therefore going to be the focus of our search.”

The hunt for travel blogger Esther, who told boyfriend Dan Colegate, 38, she was planning to spend the night at a mountain refuge, was called off in early December because of heavy snowfall.

Meanwhile, former business development manager Dan has said: “I believe somebody else has been involved in Esther’s disappearance, and against her will.”

At the moment there is the risk of avalanches

HEAD OF RESCUE TEAM