Machibet LiveWetherspoons leaves drinkers furious with 'three-pint rule' to stop big booze-ups post-lockdown | The Sun - Mcb777 Bet

WETHERSPOONS has left drinkers furious today with a "three-pint rule" to stop big booze-ups after lockdown.

Some pubs are limiting the number of drinks each customer can get their hands on, as Brits gleefully head back to the bar.

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Keith Hill, at the Rising Sun in Redditch with his breakfast and pintCredit: @SnapperSK

David Lloyd, 70, from South-East London, drinks a pint of beer in the Rockingham Arms pubCredit: Tom Nicholson / The Sun

The three-pint rule has sparked anger from some Spoons drinkersCredit: Tom Nicholson / The Sun

Frustrated punters found they couldn't order more than three or four drinks

Wetherspoons have told landlords to enforce restrictions as they see fit

While eager punters have been left frustrated, landlords are able to restrict drinks per person if they choose to.

But rules differ between each pub, as the smallprint for tier regulations gives little guidance other than offering the option to bring in limits.

The Sun understands Wetherspoons is not asking landlords to enforce a blanket rule but limits are encouraged.

Today people flocking to the Rising Sun in Redditch, Worcs., were told they could only have three pints before moving on.

Unhappy supermarket worker Keith Hill, 57, said: “The rules are confusing - even the politicians don’t understand them. What’s a substantial meal? No one knows.

“I’m limited to three pints, which will be gone in an hour. So I’m going to go to the pub down the road for a couple more.

It comes as:

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“I’ll have to order food in both, which I wouldn’t usually do. It doesn’t really make sense.

“I could stay in here all day and drink soft drinks but three pints and I’ve got to leave. It’s crazy.”

And Mick Cox, 54, grumbled: “I think the three pint limit they’re telling us here is crazy. On a weekend, I’d have 15 pints on a Saturday so three is nothing."

Have you found a pint limit in your local today? Get in touch on [email protected] or 02077824368

A staff member at the Lord Rosebery in Scarborough, North Yorks.,
said: "The magic number is three alcoholic drinks.

“It does not matter what type of alcoholic drink. You can have one
with your meal and two more.

"We keep a register and will not serve you any more after that."

One female customer thought she had spotted a loophole, telling bar
staff: "There are three meals in a day. So I am coming in to eat three times and having nine pints."

Furious people tweeted about the restrictions, with one writing: "3 pints per meal apparently in Wetherspoons load of s***e luckily I brought my moustache disguise."

And another said: "Just went into Wetherspoons while in town.

"If you go in and have a main meal you are allowed to have 3 or 4 pints/drinks and stay for 3 hours but there is nothing stopping you from going back later and doing the same again as many times as you like as long as you don't order chips."

Pubs in Tier 2 can serve alcohol as long as it comes with an order of a "substantial meal", to try and limit boozing sessions with no food.

But Wetherspoons staff appeared confused over when punters could return for a second "substantial meal".

I’m limited to three pints, which will be gone in an hour. So I’m going to go to the pub down the road for a couple more.
Keith Hill

In some pubs within the chain there is also a two-drink maximum after you finish eating, before you have to leave.

One manager insisted customers could not return for 24 hours, but another believed it would be okay to dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A landlord in Worcester said the rules had been signed off by public health officials in Reading, Berkshire, and a Spoons in Yorkshire confirmed they had a pint limit in place.

The Three Tuns in Thirsk, North Yorks., was among those enforcing the three-pint limit.

Today 516 Wetherspoons opened their doors again, while 366 were forced to remain closed due to Tier 3 restrictions.

Drinkers headed out today to have their first post lockdown pintsCredit: Ian Whittaker - The Sun

Daniel Stroud, 73, enjoying a pint of beer this morningCredit: ©2020 Tom Nicholson

A group of housemates go to the pub in York on the first day out of lockdownCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

While punters are delighted to be back in pubs, confusion has reigned over what counts as a "substantial meal" for Tier 2 drinkers and how many pints are allowed.

But David Morgan saw the bright side as he supped a pint of Strongbow at his local.

He said: “I’ve missed this place so much. It’s so good to be back. I live on my own so the pub gives me company.

“This Strongbow is my first of the day. I’ve been told we can have three pints before we’ve got to leave.

“The rules are there for a reason so we have got to abide by them. If we don’t people will get knocked down again.

“At the end of the day, at least we can come out and have a drink. It’s better than being cooped up indoors.”

'IT'S CRAZY'

Today the country moved back into a "beefed up" tier system - with restaurants and shops allowed to open back up.

Depending on what tier you live in, Brits are once more able to enjoy a socially distanced pint with pals.

Pubs have curated special menus with cheaper fare specifically for people in Tier 2 to order alongside drinks - with one savvy landlord launching a £1.99 "Boris Menu".

In Tier 3 it's takeaway only for pubs and restaurants, with people having to wait a little longer to get their hands on a proper pint.

Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin announced more than 50 pubs across Wales will shut at 6pm on Friday after being banned from selling alcohol.

Mr Martin said: "There is very good evidence that lockdowns, and this is a type of lockdown, simply don't work. There is lots of examples of that throughout the world.