Pubs will need to apply for permission from their local council if they want to continue selling takeaway alcohol. The decision has been branded “disappointing”. Pubs will only be able to serve up to 10pm. They won’t be able to come inside the place where they buy the pints from either – it must be delivered or passed to the person.
Government Stance and Industry Reaction
Boris Johnson’s spokesman confirmed people in England would be allowed to buy takeaway alcohol once beer gardens reopen. The Prime Minister’s spokesman has said once beer gardens reopen, people will be able to get a takeaway pint. Speaking earlier today, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said takeaway alcohol will be permitted.
The takeaway alcohol rules were meant to be a temporary lifeline. Industry groups call the move disappointing and overly bureaucratic.
It seems that a ‘loophole’ that would allow takeaway booze has been confirmed. The legislation would allow for takeaway alcohol to be pre-ordered over phone or web.
Yes, the takeaway pint will be banned from next month in a move from the Home Office. Pubs will have to apply for a licence to serve takeaway pints after September 30.
Takeaway pints will only be permitted once beer gardens reopen in April. Today Downing Street confirmed they will be allowed from “no earlier than April 12, in line with outdoor hospitality”.
Takeaway Pints and Their Future
What are takeaway pints?
Takeaway pints are pints of beer that people can buy from pubs to drink off the premises. This was allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic to help pubs continue selling alcohol while closed or with limited capacity.
The government has now decided that pubs will need permission from their local council to continue selling takeaway pints after September 30th.
Previously, temporary rules allowed takeaway alcohol to be pre-ordered by phone or online during lockdowns. This helped many pubs generate some revenue when they couldn’t welcome drinkers indoors.
Takeaway pints proved popular with both pubs and punters. Nearly 10,000 licensed premises permanently closed during the pandemic, costing the hospitality sector over £87 billion. Allowing takeaway sales provided a small lifeline.
The Prime Minister later tweeted that takeaway pints "are a boost for businesses" and said "that’s why they’re here to stay." This u-turn followed lobbying from the pub industry.
Policing minister Chris Philp also highlighted the importance of backing pubs and relaxing red tape to aid the sector’s recovery after a "tough couple of years."
The decision provides certainty for pubs wanting to keep offering takeaway drinks. They will not need to apply for costly and time-consuming license variations in order to do so.
Can you order a half pint at a pub?
Currently, the text does not specify details about ordering half pints at pubs. It only mentions takeaway pints and the regulations surrounding them.