Tuesday 8 December 2020

Save our Pub Culture

CAMPAIGN FOR COMMON SENSE
*** WRITE NOW ***
Re: MEALS WITH DRINKS - in Public Houses in Tiers 1 and 2

Since this was written the situation has changed with many of the country's pubs falling into Tier 4 and closing completely.
However Kit Malthouse MP did not reply.

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Laughing at the Scotch Egg jokes or talk of leaving half of potato on a plate to get another drink don’t help the real-life situation of our pubs and breweries or give us protection against Covid-19.
And is a pickled egg a meal?
Asking that misses the point.

The requirement to have a ‘meal' to be able to enjoy beer is, IMO, perhaps the most ridiculous and absurd of actions taken by this government. How that protects me I have no idea. 

Yes to social distancing, table service, face coverings, track and trace... but this?
All it does it destroy livelihoods, businesses and our pub culture, so important to the social and well-being of our community.

On 16th December the government will be announcing changes to the tiers. Let's get this meal requirement removed at the same time! (Update: They didn't remove it)
My own letter below to my MP could be used as a template should you wish or please write your own.

Support our Pubs and Breweries and all who work in them.

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To: The Right Hon. Kit Malthouse MP

Re: MEALS WITH DRINKS - in Public Houses in Tiers 1 and 2.

Dear Mr. Malthouse,

Our public houses are a cornerstone of our communities, not just being places to eat and drink but also for being social havens for many; as well as combatting loneliness, isolation and community cohesion, all essential requirements in these difficult times.

The latest introduction of forcing the purchase of a meal to have an alcoholic drink is a step too far, not being backed up by any credible evidence or logic. The rules on social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, table service and use of track and trace when visiting public houses are all fully understood and have been accepted by many as having some degree of sense given the crisis we are in.
But the idea that eating a meal can be an additional protection against Covid just does not stack up – indeed it is making the government a laughing stock. The fall out is a lack of credibility and trust in any government announcements just when it is needed most. This has been shown so clearly with the disregard to social distancing in city centres across the country this last weekend.

A plate of food does nothing to stop the virus. It is a concept without foundations. The result is that many pubs that cannot provide food have decided to close; livelihoods are further threatened; businesses are under greater threat of collapse – and many pubs may never re-open again. This scapegoating of pubs means we all lose out.

I note it has been announced that the ‘tiers' are being reassessed on December 16th. Can you give your assurance that you will be requesting that at least the necessity to have a meal if you wish to have a drink will be lifted and give some hope to the local pubs that cannot provide food and to the local breweries that supply them.
It really was a step too far.

I look forward to your reply,

Yours faithfully,

John

John Buckley

Member Campaign for Real Ale
Member Campaign for Pubs
Councillor, Whitchurch Town Council, Hampshire

Views expressed are my own.

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