Nottingham tequila bar applies to become a church to get round Covid rules

A tequila bar has sought divine intervention in order to stay open under the new tier system.

400 Rabbits Tequila and Mezcal Cocktail Bar, in Nottingham, registered to become The Church of The Four Hundred Rabbitsm after it was confirmed city would be going into the harshest lockdown measures of Tier 3.

In all tiers, places of worship can stay open although in Tier 3 areas you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble.

Owner James Aspell, 34, has had his “mind blown” by worshippers, known as bunny believers, registering their interest to join the new religion from as far as Kazakhstan to New Zealand.

He posted photos of his formal application to make his closed bar an official place of meeting for religious worship and will have to prove to the registrar that the church has a following.

James told the Standard: “The government has said we should adapt and so we have. It would allow us to remain open in all tiers according to the new government guidance.

“While the application is obviously meant as a bit 'tongue in cheek' it is meant to shine a light on the contradictory nature of the new tier system and the unfair targeting of the hospitality industry.

“The response has been incredible, we were mentioned in The Tonight Show opening monologue last night by Jimmy Fallon which is a bit mind blowing!”

A statement on the website where worshippers register reads: “Our aim is simple, to offer a place of worship to our deity the mezcal bunny.

"A place where you can drink mezcal without having to order a carvery dinner alongside it, a place where you aren’t kicked out into the cold, heartless night at 10pm.”

“Forgive me Rabbits for I have sinned.. 10 patron shots for my punishment you say.. oh well If I must”, said new member Kate Kinder on Facebook.

“The only reason I’d take up a religion. I’m in!” Leigh Harrison replied to his post, while Rebecca Barker said, “I want to worship at the church of mezcal.”

“The only religion I would get on board with,” Ken Scott said, offering “hopes and prayers for your salvation and delicious drinks.”

“You might just save 2020,” George Maroda Phillips told Aspell, while Terry James Hayfield suggested the tequila bar would be “a spiritual place of healing for sure.”