Government Extends Takeaway Alcohol Sales Until 2025

Hospitality venues will now continue to be able to sell ‘takeaway’ drinks until March 2025.

The Government has acted to extend the provision that allows pubs, restaurants and venues to sell alcohol for offsite consumption for a further 18 months.

The provision, in place to help businesses operate during the pandemic was set to expire at the end of September this year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has intervened to extend this provision and stated “I’ve heard the British pub industry loud and clear – takeaway pints are a boost for their businesses and our economy.”

These rules date back to July 2020 and grant hospitality venues the right to sell takeaway alcohol without having to apply to their local council for permission. The intention was to provide venues a bit of breathing space during the challenging period of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing rules.

As well as this, the allowance stipulates that venues can sell alcohol on the street within the area covered by any pavement licence they may have.

NCASS stakeholder Mark Laurie has commented that “the British Pub trade is on its knees. a couple of extra pints sold a week is hardly going to keep the wolves from the door. Wet led pubs are / were some of the worst affected indie hospitality businesses who have been through a series of crises, not of their own making, going back several years. Business owners are exhausted, inflation has destroyed profit margins and ramped up VAT payments. The government needs to find ways to better support the indie businesses that make up the backbone of our economy.”

For more industry relevant news and updates, click here.