Restaurants and pubs bear brunt of the new rules
LANDLORDS AND RESTAURANT OWNERS SAY THEY REALISE MEASURES ARE NEEDED BUT FEAR FOR THE FUTURE
PUB and restaurant owners have said they fear beefed-up coronavirus restrictions will drive trade away from the hospitality sector.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered all pubs, bars and restaurants to close at 10pm every day, to offer table service only and he said staff and customers should both wear face coverings indoors – except when sat at a table for eating or drinking.
Most pubs across the country were able to reopen less than 12 weeks ago on July 4 – a day that was dubbed “Super Saturday” – with those in the Leicester lockdown area having to wait until August 3.
But the sector is now bearing the brunt of tougher restrictions brought in amid fears of a second wave of infections, with medical advisors warning the UK could face an extra 50,000 Covid-19 cases a day by mid-October and a daily death toll of 200 or more a month later unless urgent action is taken.
The Mercury asked landlords and owners of a number of pubs and restaurants how they feel about the changes. Most we spoke to said they feel they will be able to implement the changes effectively and realise that action needs to be taken, but they are also concerned about the impact it will have on their industry.
STACEY WARD
Owner of Fourwards at Ashfields restaurant, Earl Shilton
“We’ve already got a lot of safety measures in place. The only thing we’re not doing at the moment is the masks for the staff.
“In theory, the changes shouldn’t make too much difference to us, because most of our customers are gone by 10pm anyway, but I think it’s going to scare people again and put them off wanting to go out.
“Personally, I think they will close us next week. I think this is just like we were in February. The government warned people about going out to eat, which resulted in us losing bookings left, right and centre.
“Already today, since the government made the announcement, we’ve lost bookings for next week and the week after because people don’t feel safe coming out.
“It feels like the hospitality industry is being targeted for something that isn’t our fault.
“The government encouraged everybody to come out in August, and the scheme had a great impact, but now they’re saying you’ve got to be careful what you’re doing. It’s confusing and misleading.
“We’ll adapt and make the changes, but I can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. Christmas is coming up and normally we’d be full for December by now, but we’ve hardly got any bookings.”
“It’s a scary situation to be in.”
JOSH GRAY
Owner of the West End Brewery, Leicester
“Not a huge amount is going to change for us. We were doing table service anyway and we have been since we reopened.
“In regard to masks, all staff have got masks provided anyway and will wear them. The biggest worry is going to be whether customers are going to actually come out based on them having to wear masks when they come into the premises now.
“How many people will be prepared to put that little bit of extra effort in, to make sure they have a mask and come down and still enjoy a safe evening?
“We close at midnight at weekends and 11pm in the week, so there’s not going to be a huge effect on our opening hours. We found that since we reopened, people have come out a little bit earlier anyway.”
SHAF ISLAM
Owner of Chutney Ivy restaurant, Leicester
“The new stricter restrictions will devastate the pub and restaurant sector further. But, if the science suggests it will help to reduce the infections, then so be it.
“I have reservations, though, as to how the curfew will be implemented. For example, do we kick everyone out at 10pm as some people might be halfway through their meals? If so, then technically we have to close at 8.30pm. It is all a bit confusing, but I agree with all staff wearing face masks and the table service.”
ALAN MERRYWEATHER
Landlord of The Black Horse pub, Aylestone
“I was hoping for a 10pm last orders rather than an ‘out for 10pm.’ I’ve been really critical of the pubs that flout the rules and maybe those who have been more lax should have been punished, rather than a blanket 10pm finish.
“We have a VAT break that will help with extra staffing on table service. I fear the 10pm will dissuade people from coming out in the evenings. Many of our customers pop out for a drink after family time and probably will not come out now.
“Face coverings are a nightmare for a glasses wearer like me, too, but I think this should have been introduced a while ago.”