Pubs Without Beer Gardens Will Be Allowed To Use Car Parks And Terraces From 12 April

The Government has confirmed that laws allowing pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes to use their existing car parks and terraces as outdoor drinking and dining areas will remain in place when lockdown restrictions are eased over the coming months.

Last year, the UK Government simplified and reduced the cost of the licensing process for outdoor seating and stalls - the rules also meant that pubs and restaurants with car parks and other outdoor spaces were able to use them as drinking/dining areas under their current seating licences.

Today a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told LADbible the rules would be staying in place for the upcoming easing of restrictions set to kick off later this month.

So if your local hasn't got a beer garden, but does have a car park then it might be able to open in April, rather than having to hang on until May.

As well as this, there will also be temporary changes to licensing laws which will allow more licensed premises to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises - meaning people can buy drinks for a pub and then take them away to drink elsewhere.

Speaking when the move was first announced last June, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "I know we all look forward to seeing our pubs, cafes and restaurants open their doors again and I'm determined to give them a helping hand to get back on their feet and their staff back to work safely.

"That's why we are introducing changes to make it quicker, easier and cheaper for them to set up outdoor seating and street stalls to serve food and drink."

While Business Secretary Alok Sharma added: "Our pubs, restaurants and cafes are the lifeblood of high streets and town centres across the country and we are doing all we can to ensure they can bounce back as quickly and safely as possible."

Under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plans to reopen the UK following the lockdown - outdoor attractions and hospitality could be able to reopen by 12 April, while indoor hospitality could be permitted to resume on 17 May.

Which means, all being well, we could be enjoying our first proper pint in months in just 39 days.... not that I'm counting down the hours or anything.Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, UK News, Politics

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19