As the UK enters a third national lockdown pubs have been forced to close again and this time there is a ban on selling takeaway pints.

Since entering Tier 4 pubs in Oxford have been forced to close and although the Government’s one-off ‘top-up’ grants for closed businesses has helped pubs, there are concerns the money will not be enough. Many are worried that if pubs remain closed into March or even April, that the sums per week will be completely inadequate to stop hardship and closures.

Dave Richardson from Oxford Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said: “It seems what is given with one hand is taken away with the other. Any kind of cash grant is welcome obviously. The bigger pubs will probably be able to get through till spring without too much extra pain, but the smaller ones with less rateable value will get a few thousand pounds in grants, but this will not even make up for the Christmas trade they lost.”

The recent ban on takeaway pints has been a blow for punters and pub owners, especially small pubs where alcohol sales is their main source of income.

Mr Richardson argued that there will always be a few that will take the takeaway pints and socialise outside with a group but said the vast majority of people just go home and drink in peace.

Oxford Mail:

He said: “It is another blow to pubs; it is just not necessary. It is handing power to the supermarkets; it is already a great deal cheaper to buy beer at supermarket. People are still going to drink one way or the other.”

It is not just the pubs suffering; breweries are also struggling to keep their businesses afloat. Mr Richardson said: “Breweries do not qualify for this cash grant and they are not being forced to close in the same way as pubs have. Many have closed or reduced their capacity. Breweries have lost 80 per cent of their sales. They have lost pub’s support, restaurants support, and they can’t get any cash.”

Read also: Seven mass vaccination centres to open in England next week

Breweries such as Tap Social in Botley are offering a click and collect service once a week to help them survive.

Chris Meeson is the landlord of the Masons Arms in Headington. The pub opened for three months in the summer, but now it is closed and is not serving takeaways.

Mr Meeson said: “We have had the basic grant from the Government, which is a little help, but it is obviously tough not being able to trade. I have only traded three months in the last nine, which is a nightmare.”

Mr Meeson also believes there should be more help from the Government to help pubs survive the pandemic as they have lost a lot of stock. He added: “I am pretty sure some pubs won’t survive this, but we will be okay. It is very tough, but what can we do there is nothing we can do but sit and wait.”

The general manager at the White Rabbit, Edward Whinney said the pub has been very lucky as its outside area meant it was successful in Tier 2; however, the constant opening and closing is making it harder for the business. Mr Whinney said: “We have had some grants from the Government, but the amount of money involved is a drop in the ocean.”

Oxford Mail:

The White Rabbit is doing takeaways through their website and previously the pub was able to support local breweries by offering takeaway craft beer. Mr Whinney said: “The craft ale market has completely disappeared, it was a way of trying to support them, but obviously now we can’t do that either.”

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