London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Pub landlord sells meals for 1p to stay open during tier 3 lockdown

Pub landlord sells meals for 1p to stay open during tier 3 lockdown

A rebellious pub landlord has started selling meals for just a penny so he can stay open in tier 3 lockdown.


The ‘very high’ alert level, which is the highest tier, means all pubs and bars must close unless they serve food.

So Andy MacDonald, landlord of the Ships and Giggles pub in Preston, came up with a novel idea after Lancashire was plunged into the strictest lockdown last weekend.

The 36-year-old said: ‘You can pay what you want if it’s more than a penny.

‘If you have been affected financially, pay a penny, if you haven’t, pay a little more.

‘And our meals are now improved, and by this weekend, we will have an even larger amount of food available.

‘We will also hold your table for two hours in order to control anyone that wants to consume alcohol.’

He was originally giving away food for free, until council bosses intervened and said people had to buy the food.


Andy MacDonald, 36, just wants to stay open through lockdown so his staff don’t lose their jobs


The meals were originally free – but the pub is now charging customers 1p for all this


Andy is the owner of the Ships and Giggles pub in Preston, Lancashire


Andy originally posted his free meal on social media last week, writing: ‘There aren’t any catches. I just can’t be arsed listening to Government anymore. I’ve got nothing to lose now.

‘Please do us the honour of continuing to support Ships and Giggles, buy drinks, and keep Ships afloat and staff in jobs.’

But Preston City Council’s website states that meals ‘must be purchased by the customer at the premises’ and when purchasing the meal the customer may also purchase alcohol.

In a post on social media, a council spokesperson said: ‘There are firm restrictions that have been put into place, relating to pubs, bars and restaurants, such as: “Alcohol can only be served as part of a main meal”, “the meal must be purchased by the customer”.’

Andy said he received a phone call from the council’s environmental health team on Tuesday.


His menu, only costing a penny per meal, includes chicken and meat platters


He explained: ‘The first thing he said was “you are providing free food so people can purchase alcohol”.

‘I asked him to repeat it and made it clear how wrong he was.

‘I, like many others, have suffered extremely mentally, but this week I’ve been happy with a massive sense of achievement and satisfaction. I’m not trying to offend anyone and I’m not doing anything for the wrong reasons.

‘For the past few years I’ve had a great relationship with the council and licensing, and I really hope that they will work with me in order to help me remain open, and keep all my team in jobs, and help the public enjoy socialising in the safest way possible.’

So instead the landlord decided he’d launch the penny per meal scheme – or more if customers can afford it – so people are technically paying for their food.

His menu includes a combination chicken platter – which consists of fire wings, battered wings, double-jointed wings, drumsticks, chips, onion rings and garnish – and a mix and match platter which is a selection of meats with chips, onion rings and a garnish.

All meals cost just 1p and he also recommends paying £2 for dips – ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue, garlic butter and hot sauce – as tips for staff members.

Andy also plans a burger night on Sunday.


Andy is next planning a burger night for his punters after Lancashire was plunged into the strictest lockdown tier last weekend


The tables will only be available for two hours to control anyone who is consuming alcohol


He said Government guidance is ‘muddled’, claiming it had ‘lost the plot’ and may cost him and his staff their jobs.

‘When we put the free meals on, so many people told us how grateful they were because people are struggling during this pandemic,’ Andy added.

‘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.


Andy claimed Government guidance is ‘muddled’ and that ministers had ‘lost the plot’


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

The council told MailOnline it would not comment on specific premises.

Councillor Peter Moss, deputy leader and cabinet member for planning and regulation, said: ‘We understand and are mindful that the changes to the hospitality industry as part of the tier 3 restrictions are challenging for many businesses.

‘While we can appreciate the difficulty this is causing and innovative solutions are being developed, we all have to work within the regulations set by Government.

‘According to the current guidelines, a reasonable amount of alcohol may be purchased to accompany a meal – one that may be expected to be served at a table, as a purchased main meal.

‘The restrictions prevent excessive amounts of alcohol to be purchased and consumed with that meal, or long after the food has been eaten.

‘We are currently updating our website with the full criteria, as outlined by Government.

‘Our environmental health team, working with Lancashire Constabulary, visit premises throughout Preston at regular intervals checking compliance with Covid safety standards.

We will continue this work to ensure regulatory standards are met. ‘We would much rather support and work with businesses but, where necessary, we will not hesitate to take a robust approach.’

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×