‘THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE A DEATH SENTENCE’
NEW RULES HAVE KILLED US
THE move to Tier Two has been a ‘death sentence’ for one Northern bar after it took just £20 on Saturday night.
Mark and Amy Hanson, owners of Edge Venue, said they had just two customers all evening – and Saturday is the only day they say is worth opening anyway.
Mrs Hanson posted a video of the deserted venue in Stockton-On-Tees, County Durham, saying: ‘Two very kind customers have turned up a little while ago and are trying desperately to drink so we can pay bills... For all those people who think Tier Two is a great thing or a wonderful idea, I know I’m not the only one who thinks actually it’s a death sentence.’
The couple were operating as an events venue until March but reopened as a bar last month to try to survive the pandemic. Mr Hanson said the first three weeks ‘were doing the job’ and keeping them afloat, but after the new rules were introduced this week ‘it’s just killed us again’.
WE’RE AT BREAKING POINT
IT HAS been the centre of village life for generations – but with Lancashire being thrust into the highest level of lockdown restrictions, the future looks bleak for the Tillotsons Arms in Chipping, Preston. ‘I’m absolutely devastated,’ landlady Janet Watson said. ‘It’s a total shock – I didn’t expect we’d be placed in Tier Three so soon.’
While the pub does serve food, its remote location in a community of just 1,000 people means it may no longer be viable. ‘We’re a little village in the middle of nowhere,’ Mrs Watson said.
In addition to backing greater support for hospitality staff who lose their jobs, Mrs Watson believes more should be done to help businesses like hers. She added: ‘We’re already at breaking point with the restrictions as they are, but this is going to push us over the edge... If we have to close, it tears the heart out of the village.’
LUDICROUS AND FRUSTRATING
THE owner of a restaurant said his sales were down 0 per cent on Saturday due to new lockdown rules in the capital.
Andy Jones, owner of Jones and Sons in Dalston, north London, said 5 0 people who had been booked in on that day had cancelled.
The restaurant normally seats 00 in two sittings, but the vast majority of the tables are indoors meaning only household groups are allowed.
Mr Jones said the lost bookings, which across the day included brunch and dinner, amount to around £25,000 in revenue. ‘It’s ludicrous... this is the worst outcome for hospitality possible,’ he said.
‘Couples who don’t live together aren’t allowed to go out on dates, colleagues aren’t allowed to go out after work for a drink together. That economy in London is huge.’ Mr Jones said this year he has lost more than £600,000 in revenue due to Covid restrictions, but still has a £110,000 annual rent bill to pay.
He added: ‘It’s very, very frustrating to see eight years of my life potentially go down the drain because no one is standing up [for] the industry.’