‘Cruel’ case of border village pub staying shut while regulars in Tier 2
CUSTOMERS LIVING YARDS AWAY NOW HAVE FEWER RESTRICTIONS
A PUB on the border between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire will have to stay shut after lockdown despite its regulars living yards away in Tier 2.
The Wharf Inn, in Welford, which is in Leicestershire, has been told it will be in Tier 3 while the rest of the village, which is in Northamptonshire, will be in the lower tier.
With Lockdown 2 ending today, pubs and restaurants in Tier 2 can open to serve food but those in Tier 3 can only provide a takeaway service.
Landlady Anna Raven, who has been at the pub for seven years, said: “The pub is in Leicestershire in Tier 3, while regulars who live 200 yards away are in Tier 2.
“If the pub was classed as being in Tier 2 then I could open to do meals but we can’t and I don’t want to break the Covid laws.
“I live in the village, which means my house will be in Tier 2 while my business, also in the village, is in Tier 3.”
Despite the pub having a Northamptonshire postcode, it is classed as being in Leicestershire and Harborough District Council has confirmed it must stay closed and continue to only serve takeaways.
“I feel sorry for the old boys in the village who love to come down and have their lunchtimes and have a few beers – it’s part of their routine,” said Anna, who runs the pub with her business partner Darren Patrick.
“It just seems a bit cruel just because of a few yards and a postcode.
“People in the village are saying it
I live in the village, my house will be in Tier 2, while my business, also in the village, is in Tier 3
Anna Raven
doesn’t make much sense but I’m not going to breach the rules.
“We’ll just carry on serving takeaway food and drink.”
A Harborough District Council spokesman said: “While we understand the frustrations of some businesses impacted by the restrictions, the council has no choice but to follow the current government restrictions.
“However, we understand the government will be publishing regulations which may provide further clarification regarding boundaries.”