Pubs across the UK can continue to sell takeaway pints after the government extended the pandemic-originated rule for another 18 months, providing a rare moment of cheer for the struggling sector.
Sunak confirmed the changes over X (formerly Twitter), saying: “I’ve heard the British pub industry loud and clear – takeaway pints are a boost for their businesses and our economy.”
With the rule extending until 2025, hospitality venues will be able to serve takeaway alcohol without needing permission from the local council, a move initially introduced during lockdown but already prolonged twice to help businesses with the cost-of-living crisis.
Struggling with rampant inflation and lower sales, hospitality venues have contended with alcohol duty changes and minimum wage increases over the last six months, but extending the law is “really welcome”, according to UKHospitality’s chief executive Kate Nicholls.
Pub closures reached their highest level in a quarter last month after outperforming the previous record period, which happened to be the first three months of 2023, sparking concerns that a large proportion of the independent sector was shrinking at a detrimental rate.