Pubs to Keep Selling Takeaway Pints

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【Summary】Pubs in England and Wales can continue selling takeaway pints as the government extends relaxed licensing rules. The rules, introduced during the pandemic, were set to expire in September but have been extended due to their positive impact on businesses and the economy. The move aims to support the struggling hospitality sector, which has faced challenges such as rising costs and falling sales.

FutureCar Staff Aug 14, 2023 12:22 AM PT

Pubs in England and Wales will be able to continue selling takeaway pints as the Government has decided to extend the relaxed licensing rules. These rules were initially introduced in 2020 during the pandemic to allow businesses to serve customers through hatches. Originally set to expire in September, the rules have already been extended twice.

The decision to extend the rules was made after Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, stepped in to prevent them from running out. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, expressed his support for the British pub industry, stating that takeaway pints are beneficial for businesses and the economy, and confirmed that they will remain in place.

This move was primarily aimed at helping the struggling hospitality sector increase sales during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Many pubs and bars have faced challenges in recovering from the pandemic, including rising energy costs, other expenses, and concerns about declining sales amidst the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr. Sunak's intervention came after he faced heckling during a visit to a beer festival where he was promoting a shake-up of the alcohol duty regime. This reform will result in increased taxes on various drinks. Despite the tax increases on wine, vodka, and canned beer, Mr. Sunak has emphasized that the changes are intended to support British pubs and benefit both businesses and consumers.

The new alcohol duty system, first introduced by Mr. Sunak in 2021 when he was Chancellor, aims to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol consumption by taxing all alcoholic beverages based on their strength. However, whisky distillers have criticized the changes, describing them as a "hammer blow," and brewers have expressed concerns about a tax hike on bottles and cans.

The Prime Minister, on the other hand, has defended the overhaul, stating that it represents the most significant simplification of alcohol duties in over 140 years. He attributed the ability to implement these changes to Britain's exit from the European Union. Additional reporting on this matter has been provided by the Press Association.