Government minister suggests loophole to potentially help thousands of pubs reopen

A UK government minister has today hinted that a loophole in the “substantial meals” clause could possibly enable thousands of pubs to reopen under Tier 2 restrictions.

Under the new “tougher” three tiered regional system, announced as part of the government’s COVID Winter Plan as England’s second national lockdown comes to an end, pubs and bars sitting in Tier 2 regions currently may not provide alcohol for consumption on the premises.

Unless it’s accompanied by a “substantial meal”, that is.

As per the current three tiered approach, Greater Manchester has now entered into Tier 3 restrictions, meaning that all hospitality businesses in the region must close, with the exception of takeout and delivery services.

The “substantial meal” rule however – a problem that Greater Manchester sadly knows all too well after grappling with the same situation under previous Tier 3 restrictions – means that thousands of ‘wet’ pubs in Tier 2 locations across the country have had to temporarily close doors.

But now, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has today appeared to pose a possible solution during an interview on Sky News this morning.

Mr Williamson said that drinkers could not order themselves takeaways to meet the substantial meal requirement, but when pressed by Kay Burley if it would be ok for pub landlords to order takeaways for customers instead, he said: “I am sure that would be the case”.

See more

A pint of your finest and a takeaway please barman?

Education Secretary @GavinWilliamson seems to suggest so-called wet pubs could serve customers as long as the landlord provides a substantial meal, in the form of a takeaway, with any alcohol.

JJ#KayBurley pic.twitter.com/yqZBTuS2ou

— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) December 3, 2020

Kay Burley then continued to follow up on the topic further, asking: “What if they don’t sell food on the premises, can you order a takeaway?”

Mr Williamson replied: “It’s got to be a substantial meal but pubs have really got to be providing that meal.”

Pushed by the presenter again, questioning: “What if the landlord buys it?”, Mr Williamson replied: “Well if the pub is providing that meal via the landlord I am sure that would be the case.

“But it’s about the pub providing the substantial meal with the alcohol.”

See more

UPDATE: This morning, the Minister Gavin Williamson has given some hope for pubs that don’t serve food in Tier 2.

The customer cannot sit and order a takeaway,

However:

The landlord or landlady can order you one and you pay them.

Helpful, but ridiculous at the same time.

— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) December 3, 2020

See more

Gavin Williamson just told @KayBurley: "We will have defeated the virus by the spring" (scientists, please check) and that pubs can serve takeaways as a substantial meal if the landlord is ordering them. ?

— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) December 3, 2020

The nature of comments made by the Education Secretary have understandably gone on to generate widespread conversation across social media, even generating comment from Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Advisor.

Sacha Lord branded Mr Williamson’s comments as “helpful, but ridiculous at the same time”.

Sky News presenter Kay Burley herself even seemed to express surprise at the minister’s admission, responding to Mr Williamson saying: “But the landlord could order the takeaway for you, that’s interesting.”

___

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.

#HandsFaceSpace