Tier Three ruling enrages rural businesses

THE decision to put the North East into the toughest tier of restrictions from this week has been criticised by a range of rural businesses.

Ally Thompson, who runs the award-winning restaurant Hjem in Wall, Northumberland, with partner Alex Nietosvuori, said: “To lose at least half – if not all – of our December trade is heartbreaking.

“Although we know we would have been under tighter restrictions in Tier Two, the decision that we will not be able to open at all is devastating.

“Aside from the obvious impact on the business, on a personal note, I have never not worked a December, which everyone in hospitality knows is one of the most exhausting but also incredibly fun times to be at work.

“Hospitality has taken the brunt of every restriction put in place despite the fact we have adapted the way we operate to ensure the safety of our guests and team. I really believe our restaurant, pub and hotel is a far safer place to be than in a gym in central London.”

The restrictions have made the Northside Farm wedding venue in

Horsley, Northumberland, unviable in the short term.

Owner Olivia Lockey said: “As a wedding venue we do not benefit from the hospitality VAT reduction nor could we for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme and business interruption or wedding insurances will not pay out for these losses.

“If restaurants have these measures in place to try to save jobs and livelihoods, then the wedding industry must too if we are to bounce back once restrictions are lifted - or I fear there will be no industry left.”