Grantham CAMRA has attacked planned guidelines stopping pubs selling take-away beer as a 'travesty' for an 'industry already on its knees.'

Chairman Rob Hamnett-Day says though the second lockdown, due to start on Thursday, may be necessary, once more it shows "the disregard of the government towards the Real Ale, Cider and leisure industry."

Mr Hamnett-Day told Nub News: "The fact the current guidelines state that pubs cannot do take-away sales of alcohol compared to the last lockdown when they were is a travesty to the industry that is already on its knees.

"Our pubs and clubs have spent much of their precious funds available making themselves a safe environment. They have jumped through every single hoop and requirement given to them and yet they are the ones to suffer the most."

The branch chairman, who works for the RAF and recently returned from a post in the Falkland Islands, says many of the landlords and landladies he has spoken to since then, told him they are operating on half of their usual sales or less and are struggling to make ends meet.

He said: "It isn't just the pub, it is the owners livelihoods, their staff's income, their suppliers too.

"Without a stronger help from the government to this struggling sector, it will change the face of the British leisure industry for sure."

Mr Hamnett-Day's comments yesterday, follow a letter he recently sent Grantham MP Gareth Davies on the 'crisis' the pub and hospitality sector was already facing before the lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday.

Already pubs were reeling from measures such as a 10pm curfew and "pubs feel that they have become the scapegoat for the pandemic."

According to recent Public Health England Data, the hospitality sector is responsible for 3-4 per cent of Covid-19 cases.

Mr Hamnett-Day warned: "As a result, nearly a quarter of all hospitality businesses say they won't last another three months without support. That's nearly 10,000 pubs and 290,000 jobs at risk.

"These pubs desperately need financial support.

"Without bespoke help for pubs, rural communities like ours will lose a key part our social fabric, with people missing out on the wellbeing and mental health benefits of enjoying a pint with friends and family.

"If this continues without any action, we could lose our local pubs, and publicans will lose their livelihoods."

He then asked for the MP to call for a package of support for the industry.

"Will you act now to save our local pubs, clubs and breweries?

"We have already lost our amazing Land of Hops and Glory Beer Festival in St Wulframs Church this year, lets not risk any more of our pubs!

"As my MP please will you write to the Chancellor, and ask him a Parliamentary Question if you are able, to urge him to announce a proper support package for pubs and brewers – before it is too late and they are lost forever."

This week, CAMRA has called on people to write to their MPs and call for pubs to be allowed to sell take-away beer during the second lockdown as they were during the first lockdown.

The campaign has already been highlighted by Nick Holden, landlord of the Geese and Fountain in Croxton Kerrial, who as Nub News reported yesterday, has also raised the issue with his MP, Mrs Alicia Kearns, saying pubs not being able to sell take-away beer will spell the 'death knell' of the pub industry, including smaller breweries who will lose their sales outlets as they tend not to supply supermarkets.

Mr Hamnett-Day says he is still waiting to hear back from Mr Davies on the issue.

Nub News also sought comment from both MPs earlier today.