A LARGE SCOTCH NO EGG!

Boozers can dump meal deal

BORIS JOHNSON wants to ditch the “substantial meal” rule when pubs reopen.

The Prime Minister is expected to bin the unpopular rule so that drinkers can go to a boozer and enjoy alcohol only.

Punters were only allowed to order booze with a meal under the widely mocked rule that led to confusion over whether a scotch egg, right, counted as substantial.

Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “The substantial meal rule was introduced without evidence that it would impact Covid transmissions.

“Scrapping the substantial rule meal would be a pragmatic step, easing pressure on businesses, potentially allowing for many more venues to open.

“We will continue to work with the government to secure a safe and sustainable reopening plan for the whole of hospitality.”

We may also soon be able to socialise with pals and family again as ministers plot to ease outdoor mixing rules when schools reopen. Outdoor sports and socialising will be permitted first before the retail and hospitality sectors are reopened.

Details of when this is expected to happen are due to be outlined by Mr Johnson on February 22.

However, the PM has said schools will not reopen until March 8 at the earliest so boozers will have to wait at least another month. Pubs have been forced to throw away up to 87million pints of beer in the UK since the start of the pandemic, an industry body has claimed.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said the waste was the equivalent of £331m in sales, based on the average cost of a pint at £3.81.

Emma Mcclarkin, the association’s chief executive, warned there would be a “wave of closures” and job losses in the sector unless the Government provides more support.

It comes as researchers suggested in January that bars and restaurants should stay shut until May, warning that reopening society too quickly could have a “disastrous” effect.

However, lovers of draught beer have sent sales of mini-kegs soaring across the UK as they seek to replicate the pub experience from home.

Garry Haigh, a shop manager in Aberdeen, sells 10 litre kegs at £30-40 and sends 180 empties back at a time.

He said: “I have five or six pallets worth, but space is not an issue.”