Coronavirus - What you need to know - Planning rules to be relaxed

The Government has announced that Planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways during the coronavirus outbreak.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:

“We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle the pandemic and support people, businesses and communities through this difficult time.

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.”

Currently, planning permission is required for businesses to carry out a change of use to a hot food takeaway. 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 to hot food and drinks. Serving of alcoholic drinks will continue to be subject to existing licensing laws, this means that in order to deliver alcohol to customers ‘off-sales’ provision in your licence will be required.  Also, this announcement does not change the position regarding the service of hot food and drink between 11pm and 5am will remain regulated and therefore a licence will be required.

We shall keep you updated.