Some pubs in Tier 2 locations across the UK have identified a loophole that lets punters drink without a “substantial meal” by offering live music tickets.
The loophole – which is seeing venues across the country now taking to social media to lure customers as they try to save their businesses after the second national lockdown – means alcohol can still be served in the COVID-secure venues.
This is provided that punters have a ticket for the live music event, and they drink it at their seat.
Under the UK government’s new regional three tiered system, the “substantial meal” clause does not apply “where alcohol is being provided to a customer at a cinema, theatre, concert hall or sportsground.”
But the loophole adds that alcohol needs to be “ordered by, and served to, a customer who has a ticket for an exhibition of a film, a performance or an event of training or competition at the venue, to consume in the area where the audience is seated to watch the exhibition, performance or event.”
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Making the most of the loophole, The Horns – a popular pub in Watford – wrote on Facebook: “We will be ticketing Friday, Saturday, Sunday live music events for £3. This also means we CAN SERVE YOU ALCOHOL WITHOUT FOOD at any of our weekends gigs.
“Tickets will be sold on the door on a first come first serve basis.”
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The Cavern Freehouse in South London also took to social media to say it would be offering music as “it’s backs against the wall time now and we are struggling to survive”.
The pub wrote: “We will be selling tickets to get in on the door on the night. Doors open at 5pm, bands start at 8pm and bar closes at 10pm. No food is now required. I would suggest people get here early as it will get full very quickly as I’m limited to 50 people.
“No bookings, it’s a first come basis.
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“If you are someone that nurses half a lager all night then I would please ask you not to come as I’m trying to survive here and that place could be taken by someone that understands that”.
While the guidelines originally stated that alcohol could only be served as part of a “substantial meal”, the Music Venue Trust argued that 92% of grassroots music venues do not have the ability to provide that, thus now welcoming this revised decision to allow alcohol sales through the purchase of a ticket as equivalent to the purchase of a meal.
Mark Davyd – CEO of Music Venue Trust – said he was “delighted” with the outcome.
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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.
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You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend – but only if you have certain names
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
Featured Image – Eaters Collective (via Unsplash)
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BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.
That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.
Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC
“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”
Fancy it then?
Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
The Manc -
8th December 2020 
