A popular take-away booze rule credited with giving a vital lifeline to pubs during the Covid-19 pandemic will soon expire. The licensing regulation, which allowed customers to buy alcoholic drinks for off-premises consumption, will not continue past March 31.
This move enabled the public to support their pubs by taking their beverages away, providing a financial uplift for businesses hit hard by pandemic restrictions.
But despite benefiting many establishments, the government has decided not to renew this temporary measure when it lapses.
What is the rule and why was it introduced?
First introduced in 2020 when lockdown measures prevented indoor socialising, the serving of drinks through hatches became an innovative solution for venues.
In 2023, the extension of these rules was met with approval by Tom Stainer, CAMRA's chief executive, who said: "It's a good sign that the Government has listened and decided to backtrack on their plans to end the automatic permission for pubs to make off-sales."
Mr Stainer also expressed a desire for further government attentiveness on relevant issues: "We hope that they have also been listening very carefully to the trade and consumers, who are also calling for a relaxation of the new tax rules around draught takeaway sales, which restrict many publicans from selling takeaway beer and cider regardless of whether their license allows them to do so."
Despite the consultation held by the previous government from May 16, 2024, to July 11, 2024, exploring long-term options for these provisions, the absence of regulatory renewal means as of March 31, 2025, the easements which many operators have come to rely on will no longer be available.
What is the controversy regarding the decision?
The decision has sparked controversy and disagreement, including from the British Beer and Pub Association who labelled the decision as "incredibly disappointing" and claimed there is "no evidence that this easement has created any widespread issues".
A spokesperson for BBPA said: "We have seen no evidence that this easement has created any widespread issues since it was introduced. Instead it has helped to boost trade for pubs and therefore the economy as a whole, so this move will layer more cost and administrative burdens on pubs and local authorities.
"We would urge the Prime Minister to reconsider the impact of this move because it will undermine their growth mission and create more red tape."
Iain Hoskins, the director of Ma Pub Group, believes the law should be renewed to continue supporting venues who have revamped their business structure following the pandemic.
Speaking to the ECHO, he said: "My personal feeling is it's unnecessary. I get it was only a temporary addition and not ingrained into our culture but it feels odd not to renew it.
"You can go into a supermarket, buy a few cans of lager and sit on the steps no problem, but now you can't do that on a dedicated premises. These venues are more in tune with handling people who are drinking.
"They are doing all the checks for legal age and inebriation levels so it feels strange to ban something that is so well organised. In all the time it's been active, I've never heard of it causing antisocial problems, people causing chaos in the streets, old ladies and school kids being targeted - that's why the ban comes as a surprise."
Iain added: "There's already huge pressure on the industry so you really wouldn't want to do anything that would cause another downfall. This could be another huge hurdle some venues could face.
"I don't see why they couldn't have renewed this for the next ten years, analysed how it could have benefited venues, or maybe even pushed it further in the hope it does. There's a constant sink or swim feeling with venues and this is another thing added to the list of worries."
Why is the rule expiring?
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, explained why the changes were being made: "The previous Government launched a consultation which ran from 16 May 2024 to 11 July 2024, which gave three options to maintain these easements on a more long-term basis.
"There were 67 complete responses to this consultation exercise, from licensing authorities, trade organisations and residents' organisations, as well as members of the public. The majority of these respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with all three options proposed.
"In light of those responses, the Government does not currently have a basis to proceed with any of the legislative options to maintain the temporary easements for the long-term. As such, the off-sales measure will expire on 31 March 2025 and the Licensing Act 2003 will automatically revert to the pre-Covid position."
