Coronavirus: can premises offering off-sales open their toilets?

“Over the recent months we have seen the hospitality industry face the unprecedented challenges of closure but we have also seen some premises making use of their off sales provisions and offer food and drinks to customers for collection and delivery. This is becoming more popular and while in theory this is a simple offer – in practice this has caused confusion for many and challenges to premises as to how they are operating and one aspect has been the issue of toilet provision.

As such this information document has been developed by a cross sector group looking to reduce risk for licensed premises operating during the current pandemic and so ensure the safety of the public, premises staff and officers and provide clarity for all involved. The focus has been the impact of the Covid-19 regulations on licensed premises providing off sales and to clarify the situation regarding the ability for premises to permit customers to use their toilets.

Contributors are:
Jim Cathcart (UK Hospitality)
Ian Graham (National Police Chiefs Council, Licensing Advisory Group)
John Miley (National Association of Licensing Enforcement Officers)
Clare Eames (Poppleston Allen)
Leo Charalambides (Kings Chambers)
David Lucas (Institute of Licensing)”