In a bid to rescue the hospitality industry from financial woes, the government of England and Wales has decided to extend the Covid licensing rules, allowing pubs to continue selling takeaway drinks. Originally introduced in 2020 during the pandemic, these rules permitted pubs to serve customers through hatches when forced to close. The initial expiration date of September 30 has now been pushed to March 2025. The move comes after the rules were extended twice earlier due to the ongoing crisis. Despite the extension, the government remains committed to seeking a “permanent solution” to support local pubs and bars. The decision to extend the rules was warmly welcomed by the industry, with The Sun newspaper quoting a source saying that the prime minister had heeded their concerns.
L’Occitane International Considers Privatisation
