Last orders for 11,894 licensed premises
New figures shows almost 12,000 pubs and restaurants have been forced out of business since the start of the pandemic and there are fears more could disappear before the industry can start serving customers once again
ALMOST 12,000 licensed premises have shut down since the start of last year across the UK.
That’s according to the latest information highlighting the dramatic impact of the pandemic on the hospitality sector.
New data tracking more than 100,000 UK pubs, bars and restaurants licensed to serve alcohol showed that more than one venue had shut every hour in the 13 months from the start of 2020 to January 31.
The latest market recovery monitor from CGA and Alixpartners revealed that 11,894 venues have shut their doors for good over the period.
It said that 170 new sites have been recorded since the end of December 2019, but closures nonetheless outnumber opening by three-toone.
There are also concerns that this figure could increase more sharply as venues remain shut due to the latest national lockdown.
A break down of the figures for North Staffordshire and South Cheshire is not available. But The Sentinel has reported on a number of pub closures since the start of the pandemic 12 months ago.
And in October, hospitality giant Greene King confirmed that they would not be reopening the Sneyd Arms in Sneyd Green.
One of Stoke-on-trent’s biggest pubs was among 79 Greene King venues across Britain which were not reopening.
“These numbers set out the full, devastating impact of the pandemic on Britain’s licensed premises,” said Karl Chessell, CGA’S business unit
director for hospitality operators and food.
“The wipe-out of Christmas trade was clearly the final blow for many businesses, and the long wait that others now face to open their doors sadly means closures will mount even higher.”
Hospitality venues will be able to welcome customers outside from April 12 at the earliest, with customers allowed indoors from May 17 at the earliest.
However, the report said that less than half, 43.2%, of England’s pubs, bars and restaurants have an outdoor area of some kind.
Mr Chessell said: “Pubs have proved more durable than restaurants in recent months, and outside service will give many of them a useful kickstart if the sun shines.
“Amid all the closures, it’s also encouraging to see a steady flow of new entrants to the market.
“We remain very confident about the long-term future of the sector, but unfortunately there is more pain to come first.” Alixpartners managing director Graeme Smith said: “Businesses have spent almost an entire year closed or operating under the most severe restrictions,
and the Government’s roadmap to reopening does very little to ease their pain in the near-term.
“Businesses are burning through cash at an alarming rate as costs stack up, and within the sector there is despair as to why hospitality is at the back of the queue when it comes to reopening.
“The Budget on Wednesday is absolutely crucial to the future survival of thousands of sector businesses. A substantial package of financial support is needed to prevent greater numbers of closures across this year and beyond.”
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AN education leader has warned plans to get secondary pupils to test themselves for Covid-19 will rely on them being honest about the results.
The Government’s strategy for fully reopening schools from March 8 hinges on high school students having regular lateral flow tests. Although the first three tests will be administered at school, others will be carried out using kits sent to families’ homes.
It will be up to pupils aged 12 and over to swab themselves twice a week and, under adult supervision at home, report the results to NHS Test and Trace and their school.
Eleven-year-olds will be given the tests by their parents, and the scheme will remain optional. But as anyone who tests positive will have to selfisolate, there are concerns it will be open to abuse.
Councillor Jonathan Price, cabinet member for education at Staffordshire County Council, said he had confidence in the school-based arrangements.
But on home-testing, he added: “Some of this requires education from ourselves to make sure that people realise just how important it is to be honest around these tests.”
His comments came as he gave the prosperous Staffordshire select committee an update on plans for reopening schools, and how they have coped with remote education. Mr Price said all secondaries in the county have set up testing facilities, which staff use on a regular basis. In primaries, staff will continue to use home kits and pupils won’t be expected to undergo regular testing.
Committee member Simon Tagg, who represents the Westlands and Thistleberry ward, has welcomed the home-testing of secondary pupils. He said: “That should lead the way for the rollout of home-testing for businesses, for attending events and even for the ‘test and dine’ approach going forward.
“Testing could really be a liberator. The two vaccinations and hometesting could be a way to open up the economy. It could also be a good way of keeping Covid under control as we bring schools back.”
The committee also discussed the need for catch-up work to help pupils who’ve been badly affected by the pandemic.
Tim Moss, the council’s assistant director for education strategy and improvement, revealed laptops have been sent to more than 4,200 pupils from maintained schools, with academy trusts also applying for IT support. But he said: “Some of the challenges have been the broadband access.”
Mr Moss told councillors that schools have kept records of how well each pupil has engaged with remote learning to help them to target those who need catch-up support.