Marlow-based chef Tom Kerridge has described pubs as the ‘living rooms of local communities’, as the second lockdown is due to end.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, December 1, the 47-year-old chef, who is the presenter of the TV show, ‘Saving Britain’s Pubs’, revealed the importance that bars have on society, as the hospitality industry has suffered greatly this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

READ MORE: Tom Kerridge's Meals for Marlow becomes permanent charity

From the end of March to June, as well as throughout November, hotels, bars, pubs and restaurants have been shut, which has caused several workers to either be furloughed or redundant to save costs.

He said on BBC Radio 4: “It is very much centres of the community; they are very much hubs of society.

"The problem I think we have here is that the powers that be in government are looking at the products that pubs sell as just being alcohol-related, and the science-like effect that it has on a body rather than actually the richer fabric of what pubs provide.

"They are living rooms of local communities - they are spaces where people connect, they get rid of loneliness.

"They connect - they are so, so important particularly at times like these."

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During the first lockdown, the Michelin-starred chef launched his own initiative called ‘Meals for Marlow’, with its aim being to help the elderly, needy and vulnerable in the town and surrounding areas get a hot meal due to the numerous closures.

The scheme was such a success that it is now a registered charity.

And he hopes that with the government’s help, many others who have struggled this year, primarily in the hospitality industry, can receive enough support to help them get through the pandemic.

He continued: "Pubs that were close to breaking even, or just making a very small profit, pre-lockdown, now being locked down and coming out the other side, the profit margins are just not there to be able to repay any loans, let alone break even or make any money."

"Without government support, this really is a position where pubs are going to struggle very much.

"The pubs are not going to be there to reopen their doors - it is really that close to closure.

"There are so many places that are losing money hand over fist."

READ MORE: Tom Kerridge's scheme sees over 1000 meals delivered a day

Finally, after it was rumoured that drinkers in tier two areas could order a Scotch egg with their pint which could be served as a ‘substantial meal’, he said: “It is another point of a government u-turn, isn't it?

"Before a Cornish pasty wasn't seen as a substantial meal but now a Scotch egg is.

"Again it divides the country whether it should be a Scotch egg or a Cornish pasty that is a substantial meal."