LAST CHANCE SALON
Council's stark lockdown warning as pubs and bars react to latest stricter rules
One of the city centre’ s longest-running, and most popular, city centre bars is temporarily closing as local lockdown restrictions are tightened.
The hospitality in d ustry was already one of the sector shit hardest by the pandemic, now local lockdown restrictions have made business even more difficult for cafes, bars and restaurants across the city.
And following last night’ s announcement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock that from 00.01am today, it will be illegal for households to mix in bars, restaurants and any other indoor setting, the management of Ttonic have announced the Vine Place bar will close from 5pm tonight, September 29, for up to a fortnight.
Sister venues The Point, Glitter ball and Live Lounge will be closed until the team can review the next steps needed.
The venues play a major role in the city’ s nighttime economy and earlier this year The Point underwent a £100,000 revamp to attract more big names to Sunderland and stamp it on the touring circuit.
But managing director Andrew Golding says the new restrictions have dealt a further blow to an already struggling in d ustry and, with the onus of responsibility on venues to make sure people are adhering to restrictions, it’ s difficult for businesses to ensure people are from the same household and even more difficult to implement the necessary check procedures in time for the new laws coming into force.
He said: “Our venues have been visited by the authorities regularly including most weekends for months, we have been checked to ensure we are abiding to the restrictions set out by the Government with a microscope.
"Our last visits across the company on the weekend just gone was concluded with compliments and without recommendations or further action required.
"However like on the initial lockdown, re-opening and when each new announcement has been made by the Government I feel we have not been given enough time to consultan d review our policies and procedures with the authorities on this new legislation.
"Sometimes I feel as if we just shoot from the hip and try to interpret guidance as it is published with constant changes and edits along the way.
"As an independent business and without the backing of a massive bank you have to act fast and adapt to change with a true entrepreneurial spirit to survive. We do not have the luxury or finances to use a consultant when making such decisions, you do what you think is right, if it doesn’t work you change it."
The news that the venues will temporarily close follows an announcement by the management team at The Peacock that the historic pub will close because of rapidly declining footfall due to the local lockdown.
Financially, venues have had to invest in covid-secure equipment and training, all while having a reduced capacity and foot fall whilst still trying to survive in the current climate.