Washington restaurant makes decision to stop selling takeaway alcohol following concerns over social distancing

Fiume Ristorante in Washington has made the decision to stop selling takeaway alcohol just a day after it went on sale following concerns about social distancing.

On Wednesday, May 28, the restaurant posted on their Facebook page to announce that the service was being pulled.

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The post said: “Yesterday we announced that we would be serving takeaway pints from Fiume.

“Whilst the majority of customers adhered to social distancing rules and took their drinks away, a small minority gathered in groups in the street to drink.

“Because of this and given the current situation we feel it would be irresponsible to continue to offer this service.

“Therefore we will no longer be offering any draught products for takeaway.”

The popular Washington restaurant had concerns that people were gathering by the riverside after buying a takeaway drink.

Fiume is not the first establishment to pull the service, earlier this month House of Zen in Seaburn also announced the decision to stop due to similar concerns.

When responding to comments from members of the public, the restaurant also confirmed that police had attended the scene but were satisfied that all correct measures had been taken.

The restaurant commented: “The police did attended, but we were not forced to close, nor were we ‘shut down’.

“They confirmed that we had taken the correct measures to allow us to trade.

“We came to a decision later that we were ceasing trade of draught products.”

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