Lancashire landlord sells meals for 1p

A DETERMINED pub owner desperate to save his business is offering regulars meals for a penny to get around newly-introduced strict Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.

Andy MacDonald, 36, is the landlord of the Ships and Giggles pub in Preston, Lancashire, which was placed under the strictest Covid rules on Friday, October 16.

Preston Council environmental health officials said the rules meant that pubs could only stay open if they served “substantial food” with drinks.

Mr MacDonald offered punters free fish nuggets and chips from October, 17 but was then told by council chiefs he was flouting the rules because he was giving the food away.

The determined landlord says he will now be offering food to drinkers but charging just a penny for a single meal.

He said the advice and guidance given has been unacceptable and confusing as “substantial” could mean anything.

The furious pub owner quite rightly had a bit of a rant, “When we put the free meals on, so many people told us how grateful they were because people are struggling during this pandemic.

“So many have expressed how thankful they were and we were happy to do it as we understand, we are trying to survive too.

“But when we were told that we couldn’t do that it was a breaking point for me.

“I’m providing a free meal for people who don’t have much – and we’ve been told we can’t do that. It’s an absolute disgrace.

“We have done so much to ensure we can operate during Covid, and now we’re told we need to shut again. It’s ridiculous.

“We are fighting to stay alive, we are fighting for our customers, and for our staff who all deserve better.”

He added: “But the responsibility lies with the government. They have gone absolutely mad. They should have kept us all closed.

“Instead they’ve reopened everything, then blamed it on the hospitality sector.