Shops drained of beer and wine as No10 appoints food supply tsar

SUPERMARKETS, shops and off-licences could soon run out of wine and beer amid an unprecedented demand for alcohol before Britain went into complete lockdown.

Shoppers looking for their favourite tipple were greeted with empty shelves in many areas as customers stockpiled following the closure of all pubs, bars and restaurants at the weekend.

Majestic Wine’s website crashed as shoppers inundated the retailer with orders for cases of wine to get them through the isolation of a shutdown.

It led to fears that the country could soon run out of alcohol with importers prioritising food and other essentials.

Industry experts have insisted there are enough supplies, but last night urged the Government to allow stock intended for pubs and restaurants to be sold to shops or directly to the public.

Miles Beale from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said: “We are urging the Government to waive those rules to allow demand to be met.”

It comes as ministers began working on an advertising blitz to discourage people from panic buying.

Based on the “Get Ready for Brexit” campaign, it will warn of the impact of selfish stockpiling and will aim to reassure the public that there are enough supplies to go around.

Adverts will also remind people of the need to be community minded and to think of vulnerable neighbours.

The campaign will be overseen by

Chris Tyas, a former Nestlé executive, who has been brought in by the Government to act as “food security tsar”.

Mr Tyas will work alongside senior figures within Defra to ensure stocks keep reaching supermarket shelves.

No 10 decided to launch the drive after the public appeared to be ignoring warnings about panic buying.

Although research by Kantar suggested only three per cent of all buyers are technically stockpilers, a source said: “It had been hoped that panic buying would subside as time went on, but it is showing no sign of abating despite the warnings about the need to exercise social distancing. It is felt the message needs to be hammered home along with a timely reminder to think about others in your community, especially the vulnerable. We are all in this together and the Government wants people to remember that.”

A Whitehall source confirmed an advertising campaign being drawn up by Downing Street would include messages to help quell fears over shortages and discourage panic buying.