Cafe owners ‘left bewildered’

NOTTS cafe owners have been left in a state of confusion after the Government curveball which included them in Tier Three restrictions.

In other parts of the country, including Manchester, the “very high alert” criteria only referred to restaurants and pubs where alcohol could only be served with a substantial meal.

But the rules published last night for Nottinghamshire included cafes. The guidelines stated, that from midnight last night “all hospitality venues – cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs (whether or not they serve alcohol) – can remain open to offer substantial meals, or must move to operate a delivery and takeaway service only”.

The rules for Nottinghamshire state; “People will not be able to sit in a cafe or restaurant to drink coffee or eat a snack”.

The statement has left cafe owners bewildered.

Rob Darby, co-founder of 200 Degrees coffee shops, had seen the national rules and believed the two cafes in Flying Horse Walk and Carrington Street could open for customers to sit in – but. after reading the localised measures, he said: “We need urgent clarification of these rules. This comes into force in less than 24 hours and another ‘local’ change to the rules is made.”

A number of Notts bars and pubs will be closed for 28 days because they can’t meet the regulations.

The Post has contacted the Department for Health and Social Care, which published the rules, and is awaiting a response.