Pubs WILL be able to serve takeaway pints on April 12 when beer gardens open

BOOZERS will be able to serve takeaway pints when the open up for outdoor service on April 12.

Downing Street confirmed that alcohol to-go will be allowed in step two of the reopening after lockdown.

But punters sitting in beer gardens will still have to order booze via table service - as queueing at the bar is banned.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed plastic pints will be allowed from "step two, from no earlier than the 12th of April, in line with outdoor hospitality."

The move was branded a lifeline by some hospitality chiefs.

Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chief executive, said: "This is great news for pubs. Businesses are going to be severely restricted, most likely trading at a loss, until the restrictions are lifted in June.

"Allowing takeaway alcohol will be a vital lifeline for many and could be the difference between survival and failure.

"Almost 60% of pubs have no outdoor space so they won't be able to open in April.

"Takeaway is going to be their only source of income until May."

Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) chief executive James Calder said: "It is welcome news that Downing Street has today confirmed pubs and brewery taprooms who don't have outdoor space will be able to generate much-needed cashflow from April 12 by serving takeaway pints when beer gardens are permitted to open. But the big question is why not earlier?

"If two individuals are allowed to meet for a coffee from March 8, why not for a takeaway pint?"

Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) chief executive Tom Stainer said: "Allowing take-home sales again in England will help get some much-needed money through the tills for our pubs and breweries and will be especially helpful for those venues that don't have outside space they can reopen.

"This will also allow consumers to support their local pubs and once again access traditional, fresh, cask beer to enjoy at home."

But pub chiefs have warned that it will do little to support pubs that have been closed for the best part of a year - and calling on the government to slash beer duty at the Budget next week.

Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “We’d hoped our pubs would open – indoors and out – for Easter and alongside essential retail.

"Instead, they are going to remain closed for far longer. This will mean they miss out on vital trade and communities will miss out on seeing each other, safely, in their local this Easter.

“Given the cautious approach the Government has decided to take in reopening our pubs, they must now support them and, in the words of the Prime Minister himself, not pull the rug out from underneath.

"Extensions and increases to the furlough scheme and grants are going to be necessary, as well as the VAT cut and Business Rates holiday – plus a beer duty cut.”

Under the phases reopening people will be able to socialise outside, under rule of six rules.

Two house-holds will also be able to mingle together even if they number more than six.

Before the reopening of 'outdoor hospitality' pubs and restaurants can only sell alcohol for delivery and not to takeaway.

From May 17, businesses will be able to welcome punters inside for the first time in months.

It will be a relief for boozers and drinkers who've not been able to sip on a pub pint since England was plunged into a third national lockdown on January 4.

In areas that were placed into Tier 4 shortly after the second lockdown, the hospitality industry has been closed for even longer.

The Government has scrapped the hated 10pm curfew and punters won't have to buy a "substantial meal" either when they order an alcoholic drink.

Mr Johnson told MPs on Monday: "We will begin to reopen our pubs and restaurants outdoors and honourable members will be relieved there will be no curfew and the Scotch egg debate will be over as there will be no requirement for alcohol to be accompanied by a substantial meal."

Like before, pubs and restaurants will have to offer table service and face masks must be worn by staff and customers when not sat at a table.

From April, customers will only be allowed to sit outdoors with table service.

Pubs will also be allowed to offer takeaway pints, something which was banned during lockdown.

The Rule of Six is being brought back, which means six people from up to six households will be able to sit together outdoors. Alternatively, two households will be allowed to meet.

From May 17, customers will be able to sit inside but pubs must continue to offer table service.