During the pandemic, relaxed rules were introduced which allowed pubs without an off-premises licence to sell takeaway alcohol without having to apply to their local council for permission to serve customers through hatches.
They are also allowed to sell alcohol on the street within the area covered by any pavement licence they may have.
These rules were due to expire on 30 September, but it has been announced by the government that they will now be continued until March 2025.
It means pubs and bars will not need to make a separate application to local councils for the extra licence needed for off-site sales.
Whilst this is another extension to these rules, we understand that the government is still seeking a “permanent solution” to best support local pubs and bars, which we expect to hear about in the near future.
Comments from UK Hospitality
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said many businesses had benefited from so-called pavement licences and had built outdoor areas for takeaway sales and al fresco dining.
She added the government’s decision to continue them was a “welcome dose of common sense” and would avoid restaurants, bars and pubs being hit with “additional bureaucracy”.
With the rules having been expected to expire at the end September, pubs that wanted to continuing serving takeaway pints would have had to apply to local councils for permission.
There were concerns from pub groups that such a move would have forced landlords to go through a lengthy application and approval processes to keep takeaway sales.
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