There appears be increasing public debate and confusion surfacing this week as to whether takeaway coffee services can be considered “essential” under national lockdown guidelines.
And it seems like Downing Street doesn’t quite know either.
The ongoing conversation comes amid calls to end “non-essential” takeaway services following claims that allowing such sales is encouraging the level of household mixing that is not permitted under the government guidelines in place for England’s third national lockdown.
Experts and government ministers have been asked a number of times whether people are allowed to leave their home solely for a takeaway coffee and whether they can then drink coffee while out with a friend.
Further queries also then arise around whether people can sit in on bench to drink a coffee while out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Steve Brine – former Conservative Health Minister – was among the first to spark national interest on BBC Newsnight yesterday evening, where he called for an end to non-essential takeaway sales, including coffee, stating: “There are so many things that we are doing, which are allowed in the rules… but I just don’t think they are wise right now.”
But Downing Street drew criticism earlier yesterday after the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson was unable to confirm if a single person could sit down on a bench under the restrictions, and when pressed whether people can consume takeaway drinks public, he said that “takeaways are allowed, or restaurants or cafes are allowed to provide takeaways”, but “people are allowed to leave their homes if it’s for exercise, not socialising”.
ADVERTISEMENT
The spokesperson reiterated: “We have set out clearly the rules”
And now today, Kit Malthouse – Minister of State for Crime and Policing – made a number of televised media appearances, and addressed the situation head on by listing the scenarios in which buying a takeaway coffee would be allowed.
Mr Malthouse said people need to use their “common sense” when following lockdown rules.
ADVERTISEMENT
Is leaving the house for a coffee legitimate?
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse says coffees are becoming a ‘scotch egg moment’ as he says the govt is relying on people's ‘common sense’ of what they think is appropriate. @Piersmorgan | @susannareid100pic.twitter.com/dSwAH2xQEs
He told Good Morning Britain that: “If you’re getting coffee on your way to do exercise, or as part of your acquiring food, or one of those reasons you’re allowed to be out of the house, then that is legitimate [but] this is one of those ‘Scotch egg’ moments, where it’s very hard for us legislators to legislate for every single nuance of human behaviour.
“What we are relying on is people having a common sense of themselves of what they think is appropriate.”
Downing Street has clarified today that sitting on a park bench for a “short pause” during exercise is reasonable, but leaving the home just to sit in public is unlawful under lockdown regulations.
The takeaway coffee debate comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock addressed the public in a Downing Street press conference yesterday, reinforcing that: “The NHS, more than ever before, needs everybody to be doing something right now – and that something is to follow the rules.
“I know there has been speculation about more restrictions, and we don’t rule out taking further action if it is needed, but it is your actions now that can make a difference.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Stay at home, and please reduce all social contact that is not absolutely strictly necessary.
“That’s what is needed – act like you have the virus.”
___
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#StayHome
Trending
Tommy Fury vs Darren Till press conference descends into foul-mouthed chaos
Danny Jones
The first press conference ahead of Tommy Fury vs Darren Till was held on Tuesday evening and it didn’t take long for the whole thing to descend into absolute bedlam.
Having only been confirmed on Sunday, Fury vs Till will be a homecoming bout for the Wythenshawe-born fighter who is set to headline the first-ever boxing match at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.
With the date set for 18 January, the pre-fight build-up and media frenzy are growing fast and things have already come to ahead in just the first meeting between the two fighters in London this week.
Clearly sharing plenty of bad blood already, while Tommy and Till were engaging in the usual fighting talk, the family patriarch, John Fury, decided to interject and it was at this point that things boiled over.
‼️ Tommy Fury vs Darren Till press conference descends into chaos as Till tells John Fury: "Shut up, you haven't been seen since Oleksandr Usyk battered Tyson."
As you can see, amidst the various insults being thrown around regarding intelligence, boxing ability, Tommy’s older brother Tyson being “battered by [Oleksandr] Usyk”, ‘Big John’ then launches a bottle of water across the table at Till, sparking a hot-tempered on-stage skirmish.
The lengthy exchange features as many expletives as you could imagine, with 31-year-old Darren Till also threatening that he will “bladder” both Tommy and his more established heavyweight sibling Tyson, labelling the entire Fury family “shithouses” as they walk out of the London press conference.
A mixed martial artist by trade who has competed at both welterweight and middleweight in the UFC, Till assured that even if the boxing match isn’t going his way on the night, he will kick [him] square in [the] face”, adding that he’s a “proper fighter” and that Tommy, on the other hand, has no power.
YouTube turned musician and occasional boxer, KSI – the founder of the Misfits promotion who is putting on the event and who Fury beat back in October last year – can also be heard whooping from centre stage and shouting, “Get your tickets!”
Even after the mini-brawl is separated, the foul-mouthed back and forth continues for some time. You can see another angle here:
Press conference aftermath 🤯@darrentill2 was going IN on the Fury’s 😳
This isn’t the first time things have boiled over at a Fury press conference; in fact, it’s not even the first time John Fury, 59, has found himself in the very eye of the storm.
Meanwhile, the youngest Fury son is preparing first his first fight in over a year, having nearly joined this year’s I’m a Celeb lineup instead.
Tickets for the now highly-anticipated boxing match at Co-op Live, just the second combat sports event to have been held at the arena, are on sale now – you can grab yours HERE. It’s going to be a feisty one.
Festive Grinch-themed cafes to pop up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores
Emily Sergeant
Festive Grinch-themed cafes are popping up inside two of Primark’s biggest Greater Manchester stores in the run-up to Christmas.
As the temperatures turn colder by the day, the nights draw in, and the most wonderful time of the year nears closer and closer, it won’t be long before it’s time to snuggle up in our comfies and pop on the first Christmas film of the year – and for some of us, there’s a good chance that first film of choice will be The Grinch.
Whether you prefer the 2000 fantasy comedy starring Jim Carey, or the 2018 animated reboot with Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s undoubtedly a real family favourite.
To celebrate everyone’s favourite grumpy green grouch, Primark has teamed up with Dr. Seuss once again on a Grinch-tastic collaboration.
Festive Grinch-themed cafes have popped up inside Greater Manchester Primark stores / Credit: Supplied
Shoppers can now head to their nearest Primark store to find the largest-ever Grinch collection, with something for the whole family, as well as great gifting options said to be “ideal for getting into the anti-Christmas spirit”.
There’s Grinch pyjamas and slippers for both adults and kids, a Grinch ‘Onesie’ that’s sure to make people green with envy, Grinch drinks cups and mugs, a selection of loungewear and Christmas jumpers for festive dressing, and so much more, as well as whole host of Grinch-inspired outfits and toys for your four-legged friends too.
As part of Primark’s aim to offer affordable choices for everyone, prices for the Grinch collection start at just £1 for accessories, and go up to £24 for adult clothing.
If the return of the Grinch collection wasn’t exciting enough as it is, the all-new Grinch cafes – which are popping up in Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo – are bound to be hit with fans of the furry character.
There’s everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.
With Greater Manchester Grinch cafes set to be open until the end of December, Sarah Jackson – who is the Director of Licensing at Primark, said: “We’re so excited to roll out our amazing cafe experience across a number of our UK locations, bringing a sprinkle of mischief to our customers this festive season.
“Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or stocking up on pyjamas and gifts for the whole family, we have everything you need to make it a truly unforgettable Grinch-mas.”
Emily Sergeant -
12th January 2021 
