Matt Hancock dodges questions on ‘substantial meal’ loophole as savvy landlords reveal Tier 2 plans

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Savvy landlords have revealed their plans to continue pulling pints in Tier 2 areas – despite facing tight restrictions – as thousands of eager Britons today flocked back to watering holes for the first time in a month.

The shrewd landlords of so-called ‘wet pubs’ – which do not normally serve food – are teaming up with takeaways in a bid to keep serving drinks.

Landlords in Tier 2 areas can only sell alcoholic beverages with a ‘substantial meal’ under new rules which come into force in England today.

But the rules have left kitchen-less pubs facing a dilemma. And some are now preparing to serve takeaway food in a bid to keep the pints flowing.

One pub in Worcester is joining forces with a local fish and chip shop to provide food to drinkers.

Meanwhile a bar in central London is planning to allow customers order McDonald’s as a way of getting around the rules.  

It comes as eager pub-goers were seen returning to watering-holes this morning for a full-English breakfast and a pint, after a month of being locked out during the national shutdown.

One man even filmed himself knocking back a pint of Guinness today as he sat eating a breakfast in a Wetherspoon’s pub.  

Meanwhile Matt Hancock today dodged questions over a ‘substantial meal’ loophole that could see pubs team up with takeaways in order to keep pulling pints.

In the latest round of interviews involving ministers facing a grilling over food and pubs, the Health Secretary blanked questions on whether watering holes could use takeaway services as way to continue serving alcoholic drinks.

He instead said it was ‘very clearly the principles in law at what is and isn’t expected’ and warned those who broke the law could face court action.

One pub looking to enlist the help of takeaway services is The G-A-Y bar in London’s Soho.

The bar does not normally serve food. But it is preparing to let customers have McDonald’s delivered in a bid to get round the rules. 

Owner Jeremy Joseph told the Sun: ‘McDonald’s was chosen because of its cheap menu which means everyone can socialise no matter their budget.’

In Worcester, one pub is teaming up with a nearby fish and chip shop in order to stay open under Tier 2 rules.

Mark and Debie Daniels, of The Brewers Arms, which has no kitchen, has partnered with Nick Zipiti of St John’s Fish Bar.

It means The Brewers Arms can keep pulling pints – which they would be otherwise unable to do without serving a substantial meal alongside.

The pub will operate around the chip shop’s usual hours and customers will be asked to order food at the bar before being able to buy a drink.

Mr Daniels told Worcester News: ‘This partnership has allowed us to open again as we do not have a kitchen on site.

‘We went to the council and they were impressed with the idea and allowed us to operate in this way for now. I am really pleased.’ 

Chris Hall, 68, from Worcester, a retired contract cleaner, said: ‘It’s brilliant, I use this pub seven days a week.

‘I think it’s a clever idea using the chippy and I didn’t think they would allow it, but obviously they have.

‘It’s great for the pub to be open again and I hope it lasts.

‘Hopefully, we may come down to Tier 1 soon and it means they can reopen properly.’

Steve Owen, 67, from Worcester, a retired lorry driver, said: ‘I’m usually down here four or five times a week.

‘It’s such a brilliant idea – it’s helping two businesses out at the same time.

‘It will be good to be back to normal eventually and I think it will drop down to Tier 1 soon.’

Dave Lampitt, 67, from Worcester, a retired maintenance factory worker, said: ‘It’s ideal as I do like the chippy shop as well.

‘We have to have something to eat but we’re still in a pub.

‘Whether you’re having a drink or something to eat, we’re still here and that’s the main thing as other areas haven’t been so lucky.’

It comes as other pubs look at ways around the Tier 2 rules – including serving up scotch eggs with their drinks.

A barmaid at the Windmill Pub, Mayfair, London was pictured serving beers with a scotch egg and sausage roll today. 

Another pub landlord has jokingly renamed an ale ‘Substantial Meal’ in a cheeky bid to get around new Covid-19 restrictions.

Brett Mendoza, 40, who owns the Caxton Arms in Brighton, East Sussex, came up with the idea while discussing what constitutes a substantial meal with another landlord after the latest measures were announced last week. 

An image of the spoof beer pump clip, which is from the ‘made up brewery’ and described as ‘hearty, filling and flavoursome’, was posted to social media last Wednesday, captioned: ‘Bring on Tier 2’.

The post has garnered over 1,600 likes and more than 200 shares, with one social media user commenting: ‘Along with a bag of crisps and a pickled egg, substantial enough meal for anyone.’

Another simply tweeted: ‘Brilliant’, while a third added: ‘I love that’.

It comes as Matt Hancock today dodged the question of whether pubs and takeaways could team up in Tier 2 areas in order for watering holes to continue serving alcohol.

Speaking to Sky News today, Mr Hancock was asked repeatedly whether a ‘wet pub’ could have a takeaway delivered in order to serve alcoholic drinks to customers in Tier 2.

He said: ‘We’ve set out very clearly the principles in law at what is and isn’t expected. If you break that law – it’s set out clearly.’

He added: ‘It is for the courts to interpret on each individual case. Absolutely we will enforce against these laws.’

He continued: ‘The courts interpret the law that has been set by parliament for this country.

‘If people break that law, then it’s for the courts, based on the individual circumstances, to determine that.

‘I don’t think it’s acceptable to try to push the boundaries of these rules and it’s a matter for the courts to interpret the law.’

Meanwhile the debate today rages on around scotch-egg gate – the row over whether a scotch egg can be a substantial meal or not. 

Mr Hancock appeared to put to bed confusion over the egg and meat treat after ministers blurred lines by repeatedly changing course yesterday.

Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove gave three different lines in three different interviews yesterday morning when quizzed about scotch eggs, which have become a unusual but key talking-point in the government’s new Covid-19 tier system. 

On Scotch eggs, Mr Hancock told Sky News: ‘A substantial meal is a well-established concept in hospitality.

‘Of course, a Scotch egg that is served as a substantial meal – that is a substantial meal.

‘What we need to do is not try to push the boundaries, we all need to take responsibility for our own actions.’

He added: ‘The rules are the two different types of hospitality – those that obviously serve meals and those that don’t.

‘So, a starter can be a substantial meal, you can have a Scotch egg as a starter.’

He said he wanted to move away from ‘picking at the boundaries’.

It comes as yesterday a row deepened over whether a scotch egg can be classed as a ‘substantial meal’ under rules only allowing alcohol to be served with food from today.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove told LBC two scotch eggs would be ‘a starter’, 24 hours after Environment Secretary George Eustice said one is a substantial meal.

Mr Gove reiterated his stance on LBC in a second interview on Good Morning Britain yesterday – before backtracking and then telling ITV News: ‘A scotch egg is a substantial meal.’

The confusion came after the Government said people going into Tier 2 from today will have to have a ‘substantial meal’ to allow them to buy a pint.

The law says a substantial meal is ‘might be expected to be served as breakfast, the main midday or main evening meal, or as a main course at such a meal’.

Some pubs have now brought out new menus, with one offering a ‘Boris Menu’ of £1.99 meals – while Wetherspoon has launched a new breakfast muffin range. 

Landlords accused the Government of providing ‘no clarity’ on the substantial meal rule.

One Essex pub has launched a new £1.99 simplified food menu so that customers can enjoy alcoholic drinks, but do not have to spend lots of money or have a large meal.

Named ‘The Boris Menu’, The Kings Head in Gosfield is offering plates such as a hotdog and chips; baked beans on toast with cheese; and cheeseburger and chips.

Pub owner Matthew Arnold, 38, told Essex Live: ‘Every time a new regulation is implemented it incurs a lot of time and cost for pubs to abide.

‘It’s the frustration that prompted the menu idea initially at the same time as catering for customers that don’t necessarily want a large and costly meal each time they want to visit us.’

Meanwhile the Wetherspoon pub chain has launched a new breakfast menu ahead of tomorrow’s reopening, include a muffin range and reducing the price of coffee and tea to 99p.

Customers can choose from four new breakfast muffins – egg and bacon; egg and sausage; breakfast (with bacon and sausage); and egg and cheese. 

Other pubs have resorted to writing long lists of rules on their website to help keep customers safe.

Tailors, in Cambray Place, Cheltenham, has put a list of 17 things customers should know before they enter the watering hole.

The list includes a recommendation to book a table in advance, rules about seating and a warning that customers who are sitting outside will not be given refunds for unfinished meals and drinks if the weather turns bad. 

Other pubs in Tier 2 have said they will not be opening at all, despite being allowed to.  

The Royal Standard near Weymouth will stay closed according to a post on its Facebook page.

It said: ‘Well after the announcement, we have taken the heart breaking decision to unfortunately remain closed until the next review on Friday 16th December.

‘We had planned to restart our food but the limitations of the guidelines have forced us to make this decision. On behalf of the whole team here we thank you for your continued support and hope to see you all again very soon.

‘Stay safe gang and we’ll be back bigger and better.’

Another pub, also named the Royal Standard, this time in Yeovil, is also remaining closed.

In a post on its Facebook page, it said: ‘Following on from the announcements of the new Tiers being brought into place.

‘It is with a heavy heart that we will not be reopening on the 3rd December as planned.

‘As soon as we go back into Tier one we will be opening our doors to all of our lovely customers once again!’

Meanwhile punters have been enjoying the return of pubs. Intensive care nurses Juan Garcia, 27, and Francisco Sanchez, 28, had come straight to the pub from a nightshift at a nearby hospital.

The pair, originally from Spain, were tucking into breakfast muffins alongside a pint of orange juice.

‘We’ve just finished working a night-shift so we came straight here for breakfast, which feels nice,’ said Mr Garcia.

Mr Sanchez added: ‘It’s a bit of a tradition actually. It’s good to be back

‘But I’m not getting a beer because if I did I think I’d pass out after all that time working.’

Mr Garcia said he did not understand the point of forcing people to have a meal with their drink.

‘I don’t know what the point of that is. If you want more drinks you can just go from pub to pub,’ he said.

‘It’s not going to work – like many of the things that they’ve been doing.’

Damian Brady, 66, was enjoying a drink at the Asparagus with his fellow regulars Steve Baker, 65, and their friend Sidney.

Mr Brady ordered a Kronenbourg with his Full English breakfast, but was frustrated with the Government’s new rules.

He told MailOnline: ‘This breakfast will be the slowest breakfast in history, I’ll still be here at 4pm. One bean, two beans…

‘The Government has got no idea – the rules are absolutely childish. There’s no set pattern whatsoever.’

Mr Brady tried to order a second pint when the waitress delivered his breakfast but was told by his friends this was against the rules.

‘I tried it and I failed,’ he joked. ‘The rules remind me of a jigsaw – it’s nearly that complicated.

‘At the same time it’s great to come to come to the pub and speak to people.

‘Although I was happy at home – four tins of Stella, £5.50, and four cans of Guinness, £5 – I was in my element.’

At the Oyster Rooms in Fulham Broadway, just a stone’s throw away from Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge stadium in south-west London, regulars were sipping on their first draught after a month away.

Sarah Mowatt, 26, was nursing a San Miguel after heading straight to the pub after hearing they had reopened.

‘Halleluiah, it’s a miracle,’ she told MailOnline.

‘It’s been a long month – this lockdown has felt much longer I think. It seems like they just took away everything fun while still letting you do other things.

‘This morning when I woke up and realised the pubs were open I thought, why not, I’ll just go for one, maybe two. I’m very happy and feel a lot better today than I have done for the last month.’

Ms Mowatt, who works in events, was perusing the menu for something to eat.

She was relaxed about the rules, adding: ‘At first I was thinking I would have to order six roast dinners to have a drink.

‘But now I know you can order something like a scotch egg – so it’s fine by mean, they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do.’

Sean Thomas, a regular in his 50s, was delighted to be back with his friends at the Oyster Rooms.

‘The pub is like a cathedral, we all know each other, so when one of the congregation goes missing you notice it. It keeps everybody safe.

‘There’s usually seven or eight of us here who are all mates.’

His friend, a former RAF serviceman who asked not to be named, was scathing about the requirement to order food.

‘I’ve just had breakfast now I’ve got to order something to eat. It’s not right, the Government hasn’t got a clue. It’s a hassle.’

He said he was planning to have three pints before heading home.

Robert Hopkinson 58, who had ordered a John Smiths, said he had reduced his drinking over lockdown.

‘Over the whole lockdown I had about eight cans of lager,’ he said. ‘I’m happy to be back because you can chat with your mates.’

Asked about the rules, he said: ‘It’s not a major problem, but I normally come in and have two or three pints before going away. But now you’ve got to wait for a meal to be cooked. I’m going to have a large breakfast.’

‘Off for a cooked breakfast and a pint!’: Tier Two drinkers rejoice as lockdown ends while those in Tier Three are left pining for the pub – as landlords get set for busy day serving ‘substantial meals’

England’s second national lockdown came to an end overnight, sparking a wave of excitement across social media as people prepare to return to the pubs – and landlords get set for a busy day serving ‘substantial meals’.

Social media users this morning rejoiced the ending of the month-long shutdown, which ended overnight.

The lockdown rules will be replaced by a new tiered system from today. The rules mean pubs in Tier 2 areas, including London and large parts of the south-east, can reopen.

Hours after the lockdown was lifted, social media users in Tier 2 were quick to show their readiness to return to the pubs.

But those in Tier 3, where pubs and restuarants can only open for takeaway, were left pining for a pint.

One Twitter user, Neil Hughes, said: ‘I’m off for a cooked breakfast and a pint.’

Nay Evans, said: ‘End of lockdown, we made it. See use (sic) in the pub for 5 Guinness and a Cesar salad.’

Another said: ‘Lockdown is over, you can catch me at the pub with my friends tonight, unless you are in Tier 2 or 3.’ 

Another user of Twitter said: ‘Me getting ready to go to the pub tomorrow.’

Jo Mac, a Twitter user, said: ‘And we are out of lockdown! Wohoooo!!! Who wants to come to the pub with me for a pint and a substantial meal?’ 

Another said: ‘Woohoo! Lockdown has ended. We are free to have a beer down the pub.

‘With a scotch egg of course. Do we have to sit at a table and use a knife and fork to eat it, or can we stand at the bar?’

Another said: ‘Lockdown is over, you can catch me at the pub with my friends tonight, unless you are in Tier 2 or 3.’ 

But while people in Tier 2 were left excited for a trip to the pub, those in Tier 3 were left pining for a pint.

One said: ‘Back in Tier 3, well done everyone! – Now let’s get Tier 2 so I can go to the pub!’

Another said: ‘Oh great, after four weeks I can go to non-essential shops again. But not to the pub or anything enjoyable.

‘Tier 1 before lockdown, Tier 3 today, utter madness.’