Pubs across England and Wales have received a boost as the government has chosen to retain Covid licensing rules permitting the sale of takeaway drinks. These regulations were initially implemented to help businesses navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic and will now be extended until March 2025.
Introduced in 2020, these rules allowed pubs to serve customers through hatches during periods of closure under pandemic-related regulations. Initially set to expire on September 30, the extension to March 2025 has been enacted to provide a lifeline to the struggling industry, aiming to mitigate potential financial hardships.
The decision to extend these regulations follows two prior extensions during the pandemic, indicating the government’s commitment to supporting the pub trade during these exceptional circumstances.
While offering temporary relief, the government emphasized that it remains committed to finding a “permanent solution” that will effectively support local pubs and bars, taking into account the unique challenges they face due to the pandemic and beyond.
