Food & Drink
The new ban on takeaway pints could be the death of some pubs warns CAMRA
4 years ago
New coronavirus restrictions ban alcohol from being sold with any other takeaway services offered by pubs and restaurants.
A ban on takeaway pints during lockdown could be the âdeath knell for many pubsâ, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has warned.
Camra chairman Nik Antonaâs words come after the new coronavirus restrictions banned alcohol from being sold with any other takeaway services offered by pubs and restaurants.
Mr Antona said the Chancellorâs one-off grant support of up to ÂŁ9,000 for hospitality businesses was âwelcomeâ but added: âIt is nowhere near enough to cover the haemorrhaging costs for pubs and breweries.â
Responding to the latest restrictions, he said: âThe national 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.
âIt is clear now more than ever that the Government must introduce a new, long-term and sector-specific financial support package to help these businesses survive the coming months.
âWhile one-off grant support is welcome, it is nowhere near enough to cover the haemorrhaging costs for pubs and breweries that donât see any end in sight.â
Rishi Sunakâs latest support package is set to cost the treasury ÂŁ4.6 billion, but the Camra chairman said supermarkets and off-licences had an âunfair advantageâ following confusion over whether pubs would be able to operate on a âlevel playing fieldâ.
Mr Antona continued: âWhat 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 â as they have been able to previously.
âTakeaway sales, in sealed containers, for people to take home, were a real lifeline for the trade in previous lockdowns and restricting that route to market now would be a death knell for many pubs.
âThis will once again provide an unfair advantage to supermarkets and off-licences that donât face similar restrictions.â
The manager of The Unicorn pub in Wollaston, Stourbridge, West Midlands, expressed sadness at the decision to stop the sale of takeaway beer.
Mary Bagley said recent sales of pints in sealed cartons near the front door of the Bathams Brewery pub had been conducted literally over a barrel to ensure social distancing â with a card reader for payments.
She said: âIt was nice to speak to people that we hadnât seen for a while and thatâs all going to stop.â
Ms Bagley, who is on furlough, added: âItâs sad, really sad, but you canât do anything about it.â
Urging the Government to provide a âdedicated and decent financial support packageâ, Mr Antona said: âThe Government must recognise that local pubs are a force for good and play an important role in bringing people together, tackling loneliness and social isolation, and supporting their local communities.
âWhen this nightmare is over, they will be vital to the nationâs healing process â so long as they are still standing.
âA new, dedicated and decent financial support package must reach our pubs and breweries quickly to save them from permanent closure and help hard-working licensees through this incredibly difficult time.â