Pubs in tier two lockdown areas are only allowed to serve alcohol with ‘substantial meals’ – and it has got people thinking.
Some pubs don’t serve any food usually, but they still want to be able to stay open.
While some are arguing that snacks like Scotch eggs qualify, others have found a way around it by teaming up with local takeaways to serve food.
This idea has got the backing of the prime minister.
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A Downing Street spokesman told MailOnline: ‘It’s for both customers and venues to act reasonably and to exercise good judgement when adhering to these regulations,’ the spokesman said.
‘But businesses that do not ordinarily serve food may enter into a contracting arrangement with other local restaurants, for example, in order that they are able to do so and remain open.
‘However, allowing customers to bring food into the premises that has been purchased elsewhere in order to consume alcohol remains prohibited.’
One couple running a ‘wet pub’ have teamed up with the chippy next door and have told customers to buy a fish supper to be able to drink.
Mark and Debie Daniels feared they would be banned from opening The Brewers Arms because they don’t sell food and don’t have a kitchen.
Their area, Worcester, is under tier two restrictions.
The couple, who are already £14,000 in debt from paying rent on the pub during the two lockdowns, feared being forced to remain closed over the busy Christmas period.
But they have reopened after joining forces with St Johns Fish Bar next door which is owned by their friend Nick Zititi.
The pub will operate around the chip shop’s usual hours of 12pm-3pm and 5pm-10pm Monday to Saturday.
Customers will be asked to order food at the bar before being able to buy a drink.
Mark, 49, said: ‘We welcomed Nick’s customers to bring fish and chips and come into the pub and eat their food as long as they buy a drink.
‘People would be in here enjoying themselves and then upping sticks back home for a takeaway.
‘It was just a way of giving them an opportunity to stay in the pub environment.
‘This was something that I thought about during the first lockdown and during the last couple of weeks, I had some messages from Nick that he felt sorry for us asking if there was anything we could do together to make this work.
‘We came up with the idea of a shortened chip shop menu so things can be done as a box meal.
‘We went to the council and rang them and they thought it was an ingenious idea themselves.
‘To keep in with the laws means that when people come in they have to order a meal and pay through our till and then we square up with Nick later on.
‘The only stipulation is it cannot be a case of buying food and bringing it in it has got to be served through these premises.
‘We have had a brilliant response. We have had a few negative comments but my argument to that is the fact we don’t have a communal kitchen so why should that penalise us?
‘We are still staying completely in the Covid restrictions and health restrictions.’
‘We are trying to keep the business afloat and keep a roof over our heads.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/02/boris-says-pubs-can-team-up-with-takeaways-to-serve-substantial-meals-13693028/