PEOPLE wishing to visit the pub in Tier 2 as lockdown restrictions lift today have been told they can only enjoy an alcoholic drink with a substantial meal.

However, many have been left wondering what counts as a substantial meal after Environment Secretary George Eustice said on Monday that a scotch egg would be considered “substantial”.

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But what food is considered substantial?

According to the Local Government Association (LGA) website, alcohol must only be served “for consumption on the premises as part of a table meal, and the meal is such as might be expected to be served as the main midday or main evening meal, or as a main course at either such meal".

The website continues to explain "a “table meal” is a meal eaten by a person seated at a table, or at a counter or other structure which serves the purposes of a table and is not used for the service of refreshments for consumption by persons not seated at a table or structure serving the purposes of a table".

The LGA say this is open to interpretation and "there is a degree of flexibility in what constitutes a meal".

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It explains a single sausage roll or a pork pie snack would not count as a substantial meal but if it was served with sides such as vegetables, salad and potatoes then it would be seen as substantial.

What about sharing meals?

The LGA says sharing a single meal or plate of food between a group is "unlikely to be deemed a substantial meal".

Alcohol is to be served "as part of" the meal which means the main purpose of visiting the pub is to eat. The alcohol is secondary to the meal.