George Eustice – 2020 Comments Giving Clarification on Definition of a Substantial Meal

The comments made by George Eustice (GE), the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with Nick Ferrari (NF) on LBC Radio on 30 November 2020.

NF – If you’re in Tier 2, you can only serve alcohol with a substantial meal. What constitutes as a substantial meal, a Scotch Egg?

GE – I think this is a term that is understood very much by the restaurant trade.

NF – I’ve had a number of restaurateurs who have genuinely asked for guidance. Would a Scotch Egg count as a substantial meal?

GE – I think that a Scotch Egg would probably count as a substantial meal if there was table service, often that might be as a starter. This is a term that is understood within licensing since you can have the concept of a table licence for alcohol which also requires you to serve a substantial meal.