A useful trick that allowed pubgoers to nab a takeaway drink from their favourite bars is set to disappear from next month. The crafty loophole arose during the pandemic as a way for pubs to maintain a level of income as the hospitality industry struggled.
A ban on indoor gatherings meant businesses were allowed to serve punters drinks to-go through hatches. The rules were extended in 2023, with CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer saying: "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."
The chief executive also hoped that tax rules on takeaway drinks would be relaxed, claiming such restrictions restrict pub owners from selling drinks to-go. However, the regulations for this practice are set to expire on March 31 following a consultation from the previous Government last year.
The British Beer and Pub Association has voiced its criticism following the decision, telling the Liverpool Echo that there was 'no evidence that this easement has created any widespread issues'. A spokesperson said the practice had contributed to increased trade to pubs and benefitted the overall economy.
They said: "On behalf of our members, who account for approximately 20,000 pubs across the UK, we supported options that would have made the temporary easement permanent, so we are incredibly disappointed at the Government's decision."
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, said she was disappointed that the consultation exercise from the previous Government had not resulted in the retainment of the practice. She said it had supported the current Government's objectives of promoting the growth of the UK economy as well as supporting the nation's pub trade.
She said: "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.
She added: "These options were to make permanent the alcohol licensing provisions in the BPA, to amend the wording in the Licensing Act 2003 to extend the definition of on-sales so that it includes consumption in a licenced pavement area, or to amend the Licensing Act 2003 to permit on-sales only premises licence holders the right to make off-sales to any area for which there is a pavement licence."
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