‘We did our bit but are paying the price’
ONE of Birmingham’s best known restaurateurs has reacted to new coronavirus restrictions with a simple tweet: “RIP Hospitality.”
James Wong (pictured), owner of Chung Ying Group and chairman of Southside Business Improvement District, said new measures that ban people meeting up with friends or relatives indoors could be fatal for an industry left fragile by the coronavirus pandemic.
He said an investment of more than £20,000 in his restaurants to ensure they are
Covid secure, reduced capacity, extra training for staff and a mammoth effort to keep everyone safe, now felt futile.
“I am incredibly sad and disappointed and feel on the verge of jacking it all in,” said Mr Wong, who employs around 50 staff.
He is now pressing local politicians to stand up for the sector and to lobby Government for a review and a financial support package.
He said he was furious that businesses like his, that had done everything to comply with rules and protect people, were now paying the price – including for the ‘‘foreseeable’’ transmission of infection between students. Mr Wong, a former city businessman of the year, said he felt the sector was an easy target and was flummoxed why the Government was ignoring local evidence, science and expertise.
“Infections locally via the hospitality trade is less than five per cent, so why are these sanctions targetted at our sector?”
The lack of financial support offered showed a lack of concern for the thousands employed in the sector locally, he added.
“I believe our sector is doing everything we can to make sure infection does not happen in our businesses. At Southside BID, we’ve been working hard to support our hospitality businesses, many of which are independents, and they have invested significant sums to ensure they offer a safe environment.
“But with these new restrictions and no financial support we may as well be in Tier 3 and at least get some help.
“Our business has been here almost 40 years. I have staff that have been with us since the 1980s, when my parents ran the company. It has left us feeling very low.”