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A major pub law change has been scrapped just weeks before it was set to come into force.
A swathe of UK boozers were set to lose their right to sell takeaway drinks at the end of September with alcohol rules permitting "off sales", which were brought in to help venues during Britain's lockdowns, finally expiring.
However the government has U-turned at the last minute, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reported to have stepped in personally.
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The decision means pubs and bars will continue being able to sell takeout booze without having to fill out a separate application for an extra license.
A source from No 10 told the Sun: "Takeaway pints and al fresco drinks are not just a much-enjoyed addition to pub menus but also a welcome source of income for businesses recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.
"The PM will always back British pubs. He’s listened to the industry and heard them loud and clear – now is not the time to call last orders on takeaway pints and the boost to business that they bring."
In July 2020, months after the UK's first lockdown came into force, pubs were permitted to sell pints in plastic cups to take away without getting permission from the council.
Brits were able to sip their favourite tipples outside their favourite watering holes and the new rules helped keep many boozers afloat while the nation was banned from socialising indoors.
The rules were set to end on September 30 with the Home Office claiming councils, residents' groups and vendors were all in favour of a return to the pre-pandemic system.
However not everyone was in favour and hospitality industry bosses expressed concern over the applications landlords would have to complete to continue selling drinks off sales.
Now Sunak, a lifelong teetotaller, has overruled the Home Office's decision to end the rules and keep the current structure in place.
Between 8,500 and 12,800 pubs and bars will carry on selling carryout pints, official documents suggested.
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- Pubs
- Alcohol
- Rishi Sunak
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