Scotch egg demand soars in line with new tier rules

Dish enjoying renewed popularity after suggestion it counts as a ‘substantial meal’

(PA)

Demand for scotch eggs has reportedly soared since being identified as a “substantial meal” within tier 2 coronavirus restriction guidelines. 

Food firm Brakes, which supplies 50,000 UK pubs, told Sky News that demand had increased tenfold since England’s second lockdown ended.

Under current guidance, more than 30 million people across England in tier 2 need to consume a “substantial meal” should they also want to drink alcohol at a pub.

The scotch egg is enjoying renewed prominence on the British culinary scene after environment secretary George Eustice said it would probably count as a substantial meal if it was served at a table.

But Boris Johnson's spokesman has muddied the waters by saying “bar snacks”, a definition traditionally suited to the humble egg product, did not meet the new rules.

Michael Gove appeared to be unable to find his feet within this debate, shifting position on the issue during a series of interviews in the space of one morning earlier this month.

The cabinet minister first appeared to dismiss a “couple of scotch eggs” as a starter, before later conceding one was indeed a “substantial meal”.

Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed to Sky News a day later: “People in the hospitality trade know what a substantial meal is ... A starter can be a substantial meal, you can have a scotch egg as a starter.”

Considering the increase in demand, the debate may have swung the food back into popularity with it now being a go-to accompaniment to an alcoholic beverage. 

But drinkers are also meant to leave a pub when they have finished their food, according to the PM's spokesman, raising the possibility of customers eating painfully slowly so they can order another round. Or ordering many, many scotch eggs. 

Ahead of the rules coming in earlier this month, Alastair Kerr, from The Campaign For Pubs, told Sky News the measures posed “more questions than answers” but that publicans would “operate a common sense policy”.

Pubs in tier 3 areas can currently only offer takeaways and deliveries, while the rule does not apply in the few areas enjoying tier 1 status, where people can consume alcohol without needing to order food.