Suppliers of scotch eggs have reported a surge in demand after ministers confirmed the snack qualifies as a “substantial meal”, allowing pub-goers in tier 2 areas of England to order alcohol alongside it.
The food wholesaler Brakes, which works with 50,000 pubs across the UK, has seen a 10-fold increase in demand for the pork and breadcrumb-covered eggs since the lockdown in England ended last week.
The debate over whether scotch eggs constitute a substantial meal began earlier this month when cabinet ministers disagreed. Michael Gove initially said they were only a starter, later backtracking, while George Eustice caused further confusion by telling LBC it “would count as a substantial meal if there were table service”. Ministers have since confirmed scotch eggs do qualify.
Scotch & Co, which supplied about 130,000 scotch eggs to UK pubs and delicatessens last year, said sales had risen by 25% this month. Director Jacqui Davidson told the Financial Times: “We have six full-time staff and were looking at the possibility of having to furlough two of those, but it’s not even a consideration now. It’s all hands on deck.”
Lockdowns and strict tier restrictions have devastated many hospitality venues, with figures from the British Beer & Pub Association showing sales across UK pubs were down 84% last weekend compared with 2019 levels. Some pub groups are now considering adding scotch eggs to their menus to boost trade.
