A BAN on takeaway alcohol will apply once new national lockdown restrictions come into force later this week.

New Government guidance published ahead of the four-week lockdown across England has set out what you can and cannot do under new restrictions.

The rules, which will come into effect at 0.01am on Thursday, override the current three-tier system in force across the country.

But new rules for pubs have been published, which confirms the banning of takeaway alcohol from pubs and restaurants from Thursday.

The official guidance states: "Hospitality venues like restaurants, bars and pubs must close, but can still provide takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will not be allowed."

No such rule existed during the first national lockdown which saw pubs and restaurants forced to shut for almost three months.

During that period, some pubs and restaurants in the North-East and North Yorkshire were seen selling off alcoholic drinks for takeaway in a bid to maximise revenue.

The Northern Echo: Picture: CHANNEL 4Picture: CHANNEL 4

But one pub boss in North Yorkshire told The Echo that they welcomed the banning of takeaway alcohol as it originally 'encouraged' people to leave their homes.

Deborah Heartfield, who runs The Crown Inn at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, said: "On the last lockdown because of being a rural area we did everything we could to try to discourage people flocking to the village for exercise as we have lots of elderly residents.

"If we had sold takeaway alcohol the benches and grass verges would be full of people.

"It’s a really tough time for the hospitality industry at the moment but I’m trying to turn a negative into a positive and get a few jobs done.

"I think selling take away beer is encouraging people to leave their homes, that is something that we have been asked not to do."

The sale of alcohol in supermarkets will remain unaffected by the change in rules.

But industry leaders this afternoon slammed the Government for banning the sale of takeaway alcohol.

Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign For Real Ale, said: “Offering alcohol for takeaway was a lifeline for many pubs, and particularly breweries, during the first lockdown.

"It is a baffling and damaging decision to remove this option, particularly when other businesses such as supermarkets are able to continue to sell takeaway alcohol.

"Pubs and breweries were reporting losses and the risk of closure before Christmas, and this will only add to the risk of permanent closures within the next few months.

“Camra and the entire pub and brewery industry is now urging the Government to reverse this bizarre decision and ensure the survival of our pubs and breweries.”

If you're a pub owner - let us know your thoughts by emailing jim.scott@newsquest.co.uk