Atherstone pub and a 'takeaway' plan to cheer us all up through coronavirus gloom

An Atherstone pub landlady is trying to bring in a 'beer' version of Britain's love of takeaway meals to tempt back stay-away drinkers caught up in social distancing measures around the coronavirus outbreak.

Angel mine host Carol Evans has "looked seriously" at the idea of providing favourite ales in a carton as she faces the consequences of a Government-imposed diktat that effectively prevents people gathering in bars as confirmed coronavirus cases of the pandemic rose in the UK on Wednesday from 1,950 to 2,626.

Some 104 people have died.

Her plan – thwarted because supplies are currently 'sold out' – comes as hostelries and restaurants are being given the green light by the Government to legally sell hot food takeaways during the Covid-19 crisis.

Currently, planning permission is required for businesses to carry out a change of use. But the Government has now agreed to relax the rules, allowing businesses to deliver the service without a formal application.

The Church Street pub sells no food – just ale – and its owner told Nub News: "The problem is the cartons are manufactured down south and all sold out.

"I have been unable to locate any other suppliers. If I have no success with that, we'll have to try to come up with another idea."

The hot food plan is the latest in a series of practical steps the Government is taking to support businesses and help people who need to self-isolate, as well as vulnerable groups and older people who have been strongly advised to avoid social contact outside their homes to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"These changes will provide vital flexibility to pubs and restaurants and will ensure people are able to safely stay at home while still supporting some of the great local businesses across this country.

"The Government has confirmed the relaxations to planning rules will be put in place as soon as possible to provide reassurance to businesses and enable them to start providing takeaways to people quickly."

The measures will apply only to hot food and drinks. Serving alcoholic drinks will continue to be subject to existing licensing laws.

The Government will introduce a time-limited permitted development right through secondary legislation to allow the temporary change of use of pubs and restaurants to a hot food take away for a period of up to 12 months.

Pubs and restaurants in Atherstone and district will need to tell North Warwickshire Borough Council when the new use begins and ends.

The latest guidance on cornavirus can be seen here.