css-14iz86j-BoldText {font-weight: bold;} A government shift allowing pubs to sell takeout beer during the last lockdown was widely welcomed by the industry, but some chains say they will still struggle to survive
Kris Gumbrell, CEO of the 22-pub Brewhouse & Kitchen chain, said it was « a tremendous result »
« I think it will make a significant difference, not just for my business, but for the industry as a whole, » he told Radio 4’s Today show
During the first lockdown, many pubs served take-out and drinks as another source of income, which was « essential », he said
« What we’ve noticed is that businesses evolve through a crisis, and guest also evolve through a crisis People miss the ads, they miss the connection, they miss the community part of it what does a pub really mean, then they want to support their local pub, « he said
« Giving a pub the chance to open up a new source of income was really essential to help pay those bills, » he said
However, Mark Newcombe, manager of a community run pub called Craufurd Arms in Maidenhead, says his pub will still have to close for the duration
Under the new restrictions, customers must order their drink through a website, phone or SMS Deliveries are also allowed
Pre-ordered alcohol can be picked up by customers as long as they do not enter the premises, according to the legislation
M’s pub Newcombe remained open when the first lockout rules were relaxed as it was able to serve real ale to take out on the spot
But this time it will close for the second because its ad has no app and is « not able to offer a [pre-ordered] take-out service, » he said. he declares
To keep their heads above water, the pub will lay off staff, apply for grants from the local government, launch a crowdfunding campaign, and perhaps sell more shares in the company
As for the pub’s longer term future, he said it was « very difficult to plan » as he didn’t know when it might reopen
But M Newcombe was also concerned about the wider implications of the pub closure on the local community, particularly on the mental health of people adjusting to a second lockdown and who may use the pub for social interactions.
Plans released over the weekend originally suggested that if restaurants could sell take-out, take-out alcohol should be banned
Industry hailed the turnaround as a small victory, but said the rules should allow sites to sell drinks in the same way as an unlicensed license
« Liquor to take out from pubs if it’s pre-ordered and customers don’t enter the premises is a movement, but not close enough, » said Emma McClarkin, general manager of the British Beer & Pub Association
« Supermarkets and unlicensed can still sell alcohol, so it’s totally unfair in unlicensed pubs. It only remains to help pubs and brewers survive, and to stop up 75 million pints of waste, government must give pubs the same ability to sell unlicensed alcohol they did in the first lockdown «
In the last lockdown, English pubs were allowed to sell pints and take-out food, and feared the month-long shutdown would mean pouring millions of pints of beer down the drain as open kegs went down. would unleash
« This is a welcome and useful clarification that pubs and restaurants will be allowed to continue selling unlicensed liquor via delivery, as well as click and collect for pre-ordered sales, » said Kate Nichols of UK Hospitality lobby group
« This was a lifeline for many businesses during the first lockdown and it’s good to see common sense prevail this time around as well – avoiding waste and providing valuable community service – even if we don’t. let’s see no reason why a pub couldn’t function as a prepackaged food and drink retail outlet like many did last time around «
A government spokesperson said: « We recognize that these are extremely difficult circumstances for pubs and the hospitality industry Public health and safety remains our number one priority and that is why pubs and other venues cannot serve alcohol on site to take away to prevent people from congregating outside their premises.
« However, they may sell alcohol as part of the delivery services, including through click and collect, telephone and other remote ordering methods for collection, provided that customers do not gather as a group once they have picked up their order »
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Takeout, Lockdown, Alcoholic Drink, Beer
News from around the world – GB – Takeaway beer sales ‘will make a significant difference’
