Takeaway ban may be 'death knell' for bars

A ban on takeaway pints during lockdown could be the "death knell for many pubs", the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has warned.

Camra chairman Nik Antona's warning came after the new coronavirus restrictions banned alcohol from being sold with any other takeaway services offered by pubs and restaurants.

Mr Antona said the Chancellor's one-off grant support of up to £9,000 for hospitality businesses was "welcome" but “nowhere near enough” to cover the increasing losses being run up by pubs and breweries."

H e s a id : "T h e n at i o n a l lockdown is yet another devastating blow for an already struggling industry, which follows hot on the heels of nearly a year of restrictions, curfews and forced closures.

"It is clear now more than everthattheGovernmentmust introduceanew,long-termand sector-specific financial support package to help these businesses survive.

"While one-off grant support is welcome, it is nowhere nearenoughtocoverthehaemorrhaging costs for pubs and breweries that don't see any end in sight."

Chancellor Rishi Sunak's latest support package is set to cost the treasury £4.6bn, but the Camra chairman said supermarkets and off-licences had an "unfair advantage".

M r A nto n a c o nt i nue d : "What is particularly concerning in the latest announcement has been the confusion around whether pubs will be able to operate on a level playing field with supermarkets and off-licences during this lockdown - as previously. Takeaway sales, in sealed containers, for people to take home, were a real lifeline for the trade in previous lockdowns and restricting that now would be a death knell for many pubs."