The government will allow pubs and restaurants to operate as takeaways without the need for planning permission.
The new permitted development right will allow businesses to make the switch for 12 months only. Its introduction comes as the government faces criticism for failing to mitigate the economic impacts of the coronavirus on SMEs who own pubs and restaurants.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to tackle the pandemic and support people, businesses and communities through this difficult time,” said communities secretary Robert Jenrick.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told The Independent that the chancellor had “clearly been listening”.
“The focus now has to be on making sure that hospitality businesses can draw down the support loans and other funds while they still have businesses to operate, such are the levels of urgency for most businesses,” she added.
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