Drinkers enjoyed bargain takeaway pints this afternoon as pubs have begun offering cut-price deals ahead of the second weekend in lockdown in England.
Suited-up workers in London were clocked buying drinks in The City’s famous Leadenhall Market, which has suffered under coronavirus restrictions, while others sipped on beverages in Borough Market.
Groups of socially-distanced drinkers were seen picking up their pints at one of the areas bars to enjoy outside in the fresh air.
Two men enjoy takeaway drinks at Leadenhall Market in the City of London today in the second national lockdown
Alcohol is permitted to be sold from pubs as long as they are ordered online or by phone and app beforehand
People are not allowed inside pubs and restaurants under the restrictions in place during the country’s second lockdown
A drinker handles what looked to be a pint of Guinness and lager after ordering beforehand at the City pub
People enjoy take away drinks at Borough Market in London today despite England being in a four-week shutdown
A waitress serves a man and a woman wearing face coverings outside a bar in Borough Market this afternoon
A man sits eating a bag of crisps after buying a pint from a bar in London’s Borough Market today
A group of workmen gathered to drink pints from takeaway cups in London’s Borough Market today
Under the regulations of the second lockdown, pubs are allowed to sell alcohol to customers as long as they are ordered by phone, app or website.
Many pubs have been offering bargain prices ahead of the second weekend of lockdown, where all but essential travel is banned.
Some London outlets were offering pints for £3 – a snip in the expensive capital – and litres of beer for £5.
Further away in the country deals were even better, with lager pints at £2 and draft ale a bargain at £1 a glass.
Many pubs and bars have taken to social media to promote their new takeaway services, offering deals on beer and other alcoholic drinks.
Pubs had to get crafty during Tier 2 lockdown – which prohibited people meeting indoors – by putting up tents and marques for outdoor drinkers, however they have now had to adapt yet again.
For example the Howl at the Moon pub in London’s Hoxton Market is asking customers to bring their own container and grab two pints for £5 alongside burgers and sandwiches.
Meanwhile The Orchard pub in Brockley is offering four takeaway pints for £15 as part of a deal.
It comes after Britons flouted regulations in their hundreds of thousands in London last Saturday and Sunday.
One market was packed with visitors helping themselves to takeaway beer on the first weekend of new coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Londoners flocked to Broadway Market for drinks and food this afternoon, despite the new guidance to stay at home as much as possible.
People were pictured queuing up for pints outside street food restaurants and packing the streets, with many not wearing face masks.
A couple lean against a wall in Borough Market after buying some takeaway pints to enjoy
Groups of men queue up to buy food and drink at Borough Market in central London this afternoon
Many pubs and bars have taken to social media to promote their new takeaway services, offering deals on beer and other alcoholic drinks
Londoners queued at a street food restaurant for takeaway pints and food in a crowded Broadway Market last weekend on the first weekend of new coronavirus lockdown restrictions
Police were seen walking past the busy Olympic Studios Cafe and Bar in Barnes, London, last weekend as revellers enjoyed drinks outside the pub
People without face masks packed the streets in a crowded Broadway Market last weekend, as the second national lockdown continued
Takeaway alcohol were originally going to be banned under the new lockdown restrictions but a Government U-turn allowed pubs, bars and hospitality venues to serve them.
It comes after the UK confirmed a total of 1,213,363 people so far had tested positive for Covid tests, with a tally of 49,238 killed with the virus on their death certificates.
Nik Antona, chairman of the The Campaign for Real Ale, had praised the government for listening to businesses but called for more to be done.
He said: ‘I am delighted that the Government has listened to the concerns of thousands of Camra members, concerned pub-goers, and beer lovers who have emailed their MPs in the last 48 hours.
‘They are urging the Government to allow pubs and breweries to sell alcohol as takeaway during the second lockdown.
‘This is a vital lifeline for local pubs and breweries across England over the coming four weeks.
‘It gives them a lifeline of income and allowing people to support local businesses.
‘Camra continues to call on the Government to bring in a comprehensive, long-term financial support package to support all pubs and breweries through the lockdown and the tough months that will follow this winter.
‘Without a sector-specific support package, we risk seeing thousands of pubs and breweries closing their doors for good.’
It comes as pub patrol officers are stepping up border checks to stop English drinkers sneaking over to Wales for a pint.
Police say they will be carrying out extra checks on drivers as England plunged back into lockdown while Wales emerged from a two-week ‘firebreak’.
A joint operation has now been launched by forces either side of the border to catch Brits trying to ‘take advantage’ of open pubs in Wales.
But landlords on the Welsh side of the border have complained about having to check customer’s IDs and kicking English customers out.