A BAN on takeaway pints during lockdown could be the "death knell for many pubs", the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has warned.

Camra chairman Nik Antona's words come after the new coronavirus restrictions banned alcohol from being sold with any other takeaway services offered by pubs and restaurants.

Mr Antona said the Chancellor's one-off grant support of up to £9,000 for hospitality businesses was "welcome" but added: "It is nowhere near enough to cover the haemorrhaging costs for pubs and breweries."

Responding to the latest restrictions, he said: "The national lockdown is yet another devastating blow for an already struggling industry, which follows hot on the heels of nearly a year of restrictions, curfews and forced closures.

"It is clear now more than ever that the Government must introduce a new, long-term and sector-specific financial support package to help these businesses survive the coming months.

"While one-off grant support is welcome, it is nowhere near enough to cover the haemorrhaging costs for pubs and breweries that don't see any end in sight."

Rishi Sunak's latest support package is set to cost the treasury £4.6 billion, but Nik Antona's said supermarkets and off-licences had an "unfair advantage" following confusion over whether pubs would be able to operate on a "level playing field".

Mr Antona continued: "What is particularly concerning in the latest announcement has been the confusion around whether pubs will be able to operate on a level playing field with supermarkets and off-licences during this lockdown - as they have been able to previously.

"Takeaway sales, in sealed containers, for people to take home, were a real lifeline for the trade in previous lockdowns and restricting that route to market now would be a death knell for many pubs.

"This will once again provide an unfair advantage to supermarkets and off-licences that don't face similar restrictions."

Camra Chester and Clwyd South Chairman Brian Vardy said he agreed with the concern over takeaways "one hundred per cent."

He said: "I totally agree with Nik - I really don't understand why it's any safer to go to the supermarket for beer than it is to go to a pub.

"As I understand it, pubs in England can still deliver orders of beer to customers - but that still makes things harder than they were.

"The problem is the unknown.

"If you know you're going to locked down for a month, six weeks or two months - it would be possible for you to plan.

"But if you don't know when you will be allowed to resume, it's not possible."

In its updated guidance, the UK Government states: "To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services.

"The full list of businesses required to close can be found in the guidance on closing certain businesses and venues in England, but includes hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through.

"All food and drink (including alcohol) can continue to be provided by delivery."