Lockdown will hit an industry worth £340m
THERE was dismay across the North East yesterday at the new lockdown measures.
Adrian Waddell, chief exec of NE1 Ltd, a business development company representing 1,400 businesses in Newcastle city centre, said: “We need a son of, a successor, to furlough. A city like Newcastle employs 6,500 in hospitality. “That is worth £340million per annum.” In August, the Mirror highlighted the success of Holy Hobo beach bar in Newcastle. Debra Dhugga, boss of owners the Apartment group, yesterday told how they had just invested £40,000 in the outdoor space, with sand, parasols and games. It was doing a roaring trade but now faces a sharp decline, closing at 9pm.
But Ms Dhugga said: “We have to work with our local authorities, not against them. If this shortterm measure has a longterm gain then it’s the appropriate thing to do.”
Karl Stafford, 45, who runs restaurant Simply Greek on the Bigg Market, said: “We have 14 staff and I really worry about how we’ll be able to pay everyone.
“It’s a terrible blow.” Sophia Flanagan, 22, who works in a central Newcastle bar in the city’s gay district, added: “This will affect me and our household income... a reduction in hours.”
Newcastle council leader Nick Forbes said his office staff had been abused by furious callers.
He said: “This is completely unacceptable... we will trace abusive calls and report you.”
In Berwick upon Tweed, 60 miles north of Tyneside, there was anger at being included in the local lockdown.
Stephen Scott, chairman of the Northumberland town’s Chamber of Trade, said applying restrictions across the whole of Northumberland was “disproportionate”.
Councillor Georgina Hill said: “I share the growing despair at government policy.”