Britons line up to buy takeaway alcohol as bars reopen over bank holiday weekend 

Sunseekers across the country have been treated to their first pint in weeks today as bars at beauty spots and beaches throughout the UK opened up their bars to serve takeaway drinks for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Booze-starved Brits were seen queuing up patiently to get their hands on cold beverages at the Hot Rocks Restaurant and Cocktail Bar on Bournemouth beach, which was packed out with hundreds of sunbathers.

People also took advantage of relaxed social distancing measures in parks and green spaces, with crowds of people meeting up in commons across major cities for a sunny booze up.

Landlords up and down the UK launched takeaway services today, opening up their businesses for the first time in eight weeks in some cases, to capitalise on the long weekend, in which millions are expected to make leisure trips.

With balmy temperatures expected over the bank holiday weekend, including highs of 66F today and 77F on Monday, councils with responsibility for beauty spots are warning people to stay away.

Following the easing of some lockdown measures last week, there are no restrictions on how far people can go to get to the countryside, National Parks and beaches in England. 

People also took advantage of relaxed social distancing measures in parks and green spaces, with crowds of people meeting up in commons such as Wimbledon today (pictured)

A group of friends enjoy several pints of beer outside Hot Rocks on Bournemouth beach, which was among the busiest beauty spots in the country today

A group of friends enjoy several pints of beer outside Hot Rocks on Bournemouth beach, which was among the busiest beauty spots in the country today

One cyclist gets the drinks in for a group of friends at a pub near Wimbledon Common. Several pubs opened for the first time in eight weeks today to capitalise on Bank Holiday trade

One cyclist gets the drinks in for a group of friends at a pub near Wimbledon Common. Several pubs opened for the first time in eight weeks today to capitalise on Bank Holiday trade

Sunseekers gratefully cling on to their pints as they make their way down to Bournemouth beach from Hot Rocks, which served drinks from a serving hatch

A large group of people enjoy a drink on Wimbledon Common on what police said would be the busiest day of the year for them so far

A large group of people enjoy a drink on Wimbledon Common on what police said would be the busiest day of the year for them so far

Landlords up and down the UK launched takeaway services today, opening up their businesses for the first time in eight weeks in some cases, to capitalise on the long weekend, in which millions are expected to make leisure trips

Landlords up and down the UK launched takeaway services today, opening up their businesses for the first time in eight weeks in some cases, to capitalise on the long weekend, in which millions are expected to make leisure trips

Dozens of sunseekers and cyclists were pictured taking a break and enjoying a beer under trees at Wandsworth Common today

Dozens of sunseekers and cyclists were pictured taking a break and enjoying a beer under trees at Wandsworth Common today

The National Trust is urging people across England to stay close to home and explore local green spaces and countryside this weekend, as part of the collective effort to make easing of the lockdown work. 

Excited beer-lovers have taken to social media to share pictures of their freshly poured pints after they headed to their local for the first time since a nationwide lockdown saw bars shuttered on March 23.

One woman shared an image of her father chugging from a bottle of beer while holding another to social media, after the pair visited the British Oak in Tingley, West Yorkshire. She penned: ‘I have actually just walked into a pub with my dad and got some beer to takeaway! Never been so excited.’ 

Another pub-goer posted an image of her pint from The Island in Kensal Rise, London, while she sat outside on her balcony. She wrote: ‘Day 4/7 of lockdown life: our local pub is now doing takeaway draught beer! This is the best news I’ve had in weeks. Thank you to @TheIslandNW10.’

The Prince N22, on Finsbury Road, London, has been selling alcohol through a hatch to thirsty patrons. One customer tweeted a picture of a barman wearing a face mask with the caption: ‘Picking up some takeaway cider from our local pub.’

Visor-wearing barmen were pictured in London yesterday maintaining strict social distancing as they carried foamy pints to ‘collection points’ where they were then carried away by customers.

And the beer is set to keep flowing as temperatures are expected to hit 73F this weekend, before climbing to 78F on Monday. 

Friends and family were seen enjoying a drink during what was mainly a sunny afternoon in London today - despite a brief shower in Wandsworth (shown)

Friends and family were seen enjoying a drink during what was mainly a sunny afternoon in London today – despite a brief shower in Wandsworth (shown)

Three friends enjoy a beer on two on Wandsworth Common this afternoon, which saw one of its busiest days since lockdown began as people made the most of the Bank Holiday sunshine

Three friends enjoy a beer on two on Wandsworth Common this afternoon, which saw one of its busiest days since lockdown began as people made the most of the Bank Holiday sunshine

Booze-starved Brits were seen queuing up patiently to get their hands on cold beverages at the Hot Rocks Restaurant and Cocktail Bar on Bournemouth beach, which was packed out with hundreds of sunbathers

Booze-starved Brits were seen queuing up patiently to get their hands on cold beverages at the Hot Rocks Restaurant and Cocktail Bar on Bournemouth beach, which was packed out with hundreds of sunbathers

Takeaways have been allowed to remain open under the lockdown rules, but have been told to enforce robust social distancing

Takeaways have been allowed to remain open under the lockdown rules, but have been told to enforce robust social distancing

Two gentleman enjoy a nice cold beer to kick off the Bank Holiday weekend, which is expected to be warm and dry through until Monday

Two gentleman enjoy a nice cold beer to kick off the Bank Holiday weekend, which is expected to be warm and dry through until Monday

It was mostly sunny and warm in the capital today, but a brief shower did little to dissuade revellers from enjoying a drink on its green spaces

It was mostly sunny and warm in the capital today, but a brief shower did little to dissuade revellers from enjoying a drink on its green spaces 

Sunseekers across the country have been treated to their first pint in weeks today as bars at green spaces throughout the UK opened up their bars to serve takeaway drinks for the Bank Holiday weekend

Sunseekers across the country have been treated to their first pint in weeks today as bars at green spaces throughout the UK opened up their bars to serve takeaway drinks for the Bank Holiday weekend

The recent heatwave has pulled the public to packed parks, beaches and beauty spots, where many settled down with drinks bought from nearby pubs.

Takeaways have been allowed to remain open under the lockdown rules, but have been told to enforce robust social distancing.

At the Althorp pub in Wandsworth, bar staff operating from a hatch are wearing face coverings and dropping drinks off at outdoor tables to avoid person-to-person contact and the possibility of contamination. 

The Greenwich Tavern in London also served customers from a hatch directly on to the street this afternoon.

Because punters are banned from drinking on the premises, booze is primarily being served in plastic cups before been taken to nearby green spaces.

But many places are encouraging customers to bring their own containers, in a throwback to the 1950s when people would fill up casks at the pubs before taking them back home.

A stampede of drinkers would come as welcome relief to pubs which have largely shuttered during the lockdown – with the hospitality sector left in the lurch as to when it will be allowed to reopen. 

Police forces across the UK have warned anyone hoping to buy some takeaway booze to keep two metres away from others not in your household.

A spokesman for Metropolitan Police said: ‘We have been made aware of a number of proposed plans for gatherings this weekend and we can only reiterate the importance of sticking to the Government guidelines.

‘Restrictions around activities that do not support social distancing remain the same, meaning that group sport, outdoor barbeques or parties, and other gatherings are still not permitted.

‘Officers out on patrol this weekend will continue to encourage and support our communities to comply with the restrictions to reduce the risk to public health.’ 

Pubs located next to green spaces in London enjoyed their best trade in weeks as hundreds flocked to commons for a break from quarantine

Pubs located next to green spaces in London enjoyed their best trade in weeks as hundreds flocked to commons for a break from quarantine

Police forces across the UK have warned anyone hoping to buy some takeaway booze to keep six feet away from others not in their household

Police forces across the UK have warned anyone hoping to buy some takeaway booze to keep six feet away from others not in their household

The recent heatwave has pulled the public to packed parks, beaches and beauty spots, where many settled down with drinks bought from nearby pubs

The recent heatwave has pulled the public to packed parks, beaches and beauty spots, where many settled down with drinks bought from nearby pubs

A stampede of drinkers would come as welcome relief to pubs which have largely shuttered during the lockdown - with the hospitality sector left in the lurch as to when it will be allowed to reopen

A stampede of drinkers would come as welcome relief to pubs which have largely shuttered during the lockdown – with the hospitality sector left in the lurch as to when it will be allowed to reopen

Takeaways have been allowed to remain open under the lockdown rules, but have been told to enforce robust social distancing

Takeaways have been allowed to remain open under the lockdown rules, but have been told to enforce robust social distancing

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) said pubs would have been packed on a normal late May Bank Holiday, with good weather forecast, and the FA Cup final usually held on the Saturday.

The trade body noted that pubs were the first businesses to be ordered to shut down by the Government in March and could be among the last to re-open.

The BBPA said not all pubs will reopen from July as many won’t be able to meet the social distancing measures required by then.

Ensuring a distance of two metres will be impossible for some pubs, keeping them closed for much longer, said the BBPA.

But the association is glad pubs have been allowed to reopen to offer takeaway options, something that will act as a much-needed boost to struggling independent brewers.   

Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: ‘It is great to hear about enterprising publicans selling takeaway beer for the sunny bank holiday weekend ahead. 

‘The growth of takeaway beer during the lockdown shows how the British public are clearly yearning for the pub experience and in particular the unique taste of draught beer.

‘Any revenue for pubs at this tremendously difficult time is absolutely vital, this revenue will help pubs across the country reopen when the lockdown lifts, of course what we need is to find a pathway for our pubs to reopen. 

‘Breweries are also selling their customers favourite beers online and some have even started drive throughs to get fresh beer to their customers.

‘Pubs serving takeaway beer are of course implementing social distancing measures and are upholding the highest hygiene standards.’  

One woman shared an image of her father chugging from a bottle of beer while holding another to social media, after the pair visited the British Oak in Tingley, West Yorkshire

One woman shared an image of her father chugging from a bottle of beer while holding another to social media, after the pair visited the British Oak in Tingley, West Yorkshire

The Prince N22, on Finsbury Road, London, has been selling alcohol through a hatch to thirsty patrons. One customer tweeted a picture of a barman wearing a face mask with the caption: 'Picking up some takeaway cider from our local pub'

Another pub-goer posted an image of her pint from The Island in Kensal Rise, London, while she sat outside on her balcony

Excited beer-lovers have taken to social media to share pictures of their freshly poured pints after they headed to their local for the first time since a nationwide lockdown saw bars shuttered on March 23

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