Publicans have spoken out against ‘absurd,’ ‘idiotic’ and ‘ridiculous’ lockdown restrictions which ban them serving takeaway alcohol, as the Stroud MP calls on the Government to change the rules.

While supermarkets and off-licenses can sell beer to take away, pubs have been left “on their knees” financially, with the Crown and Sceptre selling vegetables and the Prince Albert serving pizza to make ends meet.

MP Siobhan Baillie raised the issue in parliament and wrote to the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng asking him to let pubs serve takeaway alcohol, after being lobbied by the Campaign for Real Ale.

“Something needs to be said about it because we’re an industry on our knees already,” said Rodda Thomas, who runs the Crown and Sceptre.

“I am absolutely baffled why they banned it, it was another kick in the teeth for the license trade, especially for me.”

Mr Thomas said he has spent time and money personally delivering beverages.

“It seems absurd and idiotic. It’s making my life more difficult and more expensive. It really is just nonsense.”

Lotte Lyster, who runs the Prince Albert with Miles Connelly, wrote to the Stroud MP as part of a petition by the Campaign for Real Ale.

She said it was unfair that supermarkets and off-licences could serve alcohol when pubs have jumped through regulatory hoops to get their licences.

“It seems very unfair and a bit ridiculous.”

“I appreciate people are disappointed with the way some pubs acted during the summer by being quite loose with their takeaway, but it was really unfair to penalise the whole of the licensed trade,” she said.

Almost 300,000 people have lost their jobs in hospitality during the pandemic, accounting for over a third of all job losses between February and November, according to the Office for National Statistics.

In a letter to the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, Ms Baillie wrote: “I am hoping that you will take an opportunity to create a quick win for our pubs and stop the ban on hospitality businesses selling alcohol during lockdown as a matter of urgency.

“I do not believe it was the government’s intention to create an unfair set of rules or fail to provide a level playing field in this area. Click and collect was permitted in the November lockdown and pubs have jumped through extensive and expensive hoops to be Covid safe to customers.

“These are difficult times, but we must do everything we can to ensure our pubs survive. I believe a rule change is part of that effort.”