Pubs can now offer takeaway pints and turn car parks into beer gardens - the new rules explained

New legislation will allow pubs and bars to serve takeaway drinks, and restaurants to offer outdoor dining in a bid to help reopen the hospitality sector. New laws to save the hospitality industry On Thursday 25 June, Ministers introduced a new bill to parliament that temporarily changes the strict licensing laws that pubs and restaurants currently operate under. The government states that this bill “introduces a streamlined and cheaper route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway.” This will allow more pubs and restaurants to open while safe social distancing measures are adhered to, and will provide “income over the summer months and protect as many hospitality jobs as possible.” Under these new rules, licenced premises will be able to turn their car parks and terraces into temporary beer gardens, with the likes of pubs being able to set up tables and chairs on pavements to serve customers. ‘One metre plus’ social distancing rule The announcement comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers will be able to open across England from 4 July. Johnson also told MPs on Tuesday 23 June that the social distancing guidelines have been reduced from two metres to “one metre plus”. The relaxation of the two metre rule means that somewhere between 60 and 75 per cent of businesses will be able to reopen, whereas before only 30 per cent of the hospitality sector was expected to reopen. Which businesses are eligible for the new licence? A business which uses, or proposes to use, its premises for the sale of food and drink for consumption (on or off the premises) can apply for a new licence. The government states that eligible businesses include public houses, cafes, bars, restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops and ice cream parlours. Furniture which may be used by businesses includes: It is explained that the furniture is required to be removable. How can a business apply for the new licence? An application must be made to your local authority. You must: While application fees will be set locally, they will be capped at a maximum of £100. The licence will remain in place for a year but will not extend beyond 30 September 2021.