Takeaway pints from pubs to be banned next month

Grabbing a cold, crisp pint in plastic cup to carry over to the park. Picking up a freshly made Aperol Spritz in a coffee cup to sip beside the canal.

Unreal summer moments made possible by the wonder that is takeaway drinks from the pub.

It’s a golden thing that was created during the Covid-era of lockdowns.

Back in 2020, pub landlords in England and Wales were given permission to keep serving customers in the street when the laws had forced them to be closed.

Not only was it a bit of a lifeline for those wanting to still enjoy a social drink but it was aimed to be a big financial help for businesses too.

So much so, the licensing move was extended twice during the pandemic.

But apparently, all good things must come to an end.

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The Home Office has said takeaway pints will stop from 30 September.

It’s not a total end though, don’t worry. If pubs want to continue serving those perfect pints to go, they’ll have to apply for permission from their local councils.

Although, as reported by the BBC, the British Beer and Pub Association said this ‘disappointing’ decision would force pubs to go through a ‘lengthy application and approval processes’ just to be able to keep those takeaway sales going.

Chief executive Emma McClarkin added: “We need government to support our pubs and allow them to diversify and innovate, not hold them back with more red tape and unnecessary regulation.”

The difference between this new permission rule and the more relaxed regime brought in in July 2020, is that the pubs without an off-premises licence could still sell us our takeaway alcohol without having to apply for permission.

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Explaining why they’re taking away our pints-to-go, the Home Office said it had canvassed opinion from local councils, residents’ group and drinks retailers.

And it turns out, the majority of those who responded were in favour of returning to the pre-covid rules.

The department did say it’s going to encourage councils to treat the applications as a minor licence change, a quicker and cheaper process, to minimise the ‘transition costs’ for existing licence holders.

However, Mike Kill from the Night Time Industries Association told the BBC these changes leave pubs and drinking holes with ‘little time’ to apply for licence changes before 30 September.

So basically, you’ve just got to hope your favourite takeaway pint spot is able (and wants) to secure themselves a licence before the cut off