LCBO pauses alcohol delivery deal with SkipTheDishes

The LCBO announced on Sunday that it would be pausing its partnership with SkipTheDishes.

The program, which was launched on December 4, offered on-demand, direct-to-customer alcohol delivery from 15 LCBO locations across Toronto.

In its few days of operation, the initiative received backlash for allegedly taking alcohol sales away from local restaurants.

“Following direction from the Ontario Government, effective end of day today, LCBO’s partnership with SkipTheDishes is paused until further notice,” the LCBO said in a statement.

“We are proud to continue offering a safe in-store shopping experience and our expanded Same-Day Pickup option and will continue to look for new ways to increase choice and convenience for our customers.”

Ėnoncé de la LCBO au sujet de son partenariat avec le service de livraison sur demande Skip-Du-Resto jusqu’à vous

LCBO statement regarding on demand delivery partnership with SkipTheDishes pic.twitter.com/l2VaD1ijk5

— LCBONEWS (@LCBONEWS) December 6, 2020

Since March, bars and restaurants in Ontario have been allowed to offer alcohol with takeout and delivery orders. The initiative has been a lifeline for the industry which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under Toronto’s current lockdown restrictions, bars, restaurants, and food and drink establishments are only permitted to be open for takeout, delivery, and drive through.

Indoor and outdoor dining are both banned across the city until at least December 21.