Hospitality
Pubs, cafés and takeaways
Hospitality venues are treated differently because the scheme can tell where the drink is consumed. The core test is simple: does the container leave your premises or not?
The core test
One question decides everything
If the drink is sold for consumption off your premises, the deposit must be charged. If it is consumed on your premises, treatment is partly optional and varies by nation.
Deposit required
Does the container leave your premises?
Takeaway, delivery, collection by the customer. Charge the 20p, without exception.
Depends on nation
Is it consumed on your premises?
Optional in England and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, do not charge where on-site consumption is certain.
If there is any realistic chance the container leaves with the customer, applying the deposit is recommended. A container that escapes a premises where no deposit was charged is a container that never comes back — which undermines the scheme for everyone trading alongside you.
By nation
The full matrix
| Scenario | England & N. Ireland | Scotland | Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takeaway / off-premise sale | Deposit required | Deposit required | Deposit required |
| On-premise, definitely consumed on site | Optional to charge | Should not charge | Optional — check Welsh scheme |
| On-premise, may be taken off site | Optional to charge | Optional to charge | Optional — check Welsh scheme |
| Operate a return point | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Collect and retain on-site containers | Optional | Required | Check Welsh scheme |
Wales operates its own scheme, which also includes glass — though no deposit applies to glass in Wales until October 2031. Confirm Welsh specifics with the scheme administrator.
Collecting on-site containers
- Premises can opt out of passing the deposit on to the consumer
- Containers consumed on site must be collected and stored for collection
- Collection is managed by the scheme administrator
- Full operational detail was to be confirmed following completion of the logistics tender
Collecting on-site containers
- Premises can opt out of passing the deposit onto consumers
- Containers can go to a registered return point, or via a collection partner appointed by the scheme administrator
- Treatment is optional rather than mandatory
- Full operational detail was to be confirmed following the logistics tender in Q3 2026
Hospitality venues are not required to operate return points under the regulations. Your obligation is to charge the deposit correctly where it applies — not to become a collection point for the public.
Getting ready
What to change before launch
- Segment your menu or product range by on-premise versus off-premise
- Update till and ordering systems to apply the deposit only where required
- Decide and document your position on optional on-premise charging, per nation
- Brief floor staff — this is the point most likely to generate consumer friction
- Update your website, menus and delivery apps to show the deposit
- Plan on-site container storage if you operate in Scotland
Selling drinks in more than one nation?
The rules differ by nation and by consumption point. If you operate across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, check the matrix above with your operations lead.