City pubs hit by new regulations
Sunderland city centre bars and pubs have spoken about the impact of the first weekend of new coronavirus local regulations.
The city was placed on the Government’s Covid-19 watchlist, alongside Newcastle, Gateshead, and South Tyneside, earlier this month after infection rates across the region rocketed.
Leaders from seven North East councils subsequently wrote to the Government to request tougher lockdown powers. The measures came into effect at a minute past midnight on Friday.
Under the rules, people are banned from socialising with anyone outside their own household or support bubble in private homes and gardens. Eating and drinking out is permitted, but restricted to table service only and leisure and entertainment venues must close between 10pm and 5am.
Further guidance – though not legally required – suggests people should not socialise with anyone outside of their own households in all public venues, should only use public transport for essential purposes, take holidays only within their own household or support bubble and not attend amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.
Adam Walton, from Gatsby in Park Lane, said the new rules had definitely had an impact on numbers over the weekend.
"It has had a pretty major impact on us. A lot of our business is on a Friday and Saturday night, usually after 10pm, so that has been quite a big hit,” he said.
"It has been extremely quiet today as well – I don’t know if that is just a coincidence or the impact or the new rules.”
Business had been okay since reopening in July, said Adam: “We are doing alright – it was not fantastic but was pretty good, considering the circumstances. This has just completely killed it, really.”
The Rabbit, in High Street West, was also affected.
"There was a bit of an impact,” said spokesman Liam Duffield.
"I think people have been scared off. People are thinking they are not allowed to come out unless they are with their families. And a big announcement is bound to put people off.
“We were doing fine since we reopened. We were doing quite well but, understandably, this has been a bit of a backwards step. We have put new measures in place and everything is in line with the regulations. The staff have picked it up really quickly.”