Town gets ready to shut up shop again
Ashbourne’s business owners are putting on a brave face as they prepare for a second lockdown in eight months. They hope the pause starting this week does not last longer than the month outlined by the Prime Minister, and further hit their crucial Christmas trade
BUSINESS owners are confronting tomorrow’s second lockdown with mixed views – as what should be one of the busiest times of the year is interrupted by further coronavirus restrictions.
Retailers are clinging on to hopes the shut-down will only last the provisional month the government is hoping for, while pubs are hoping they can survive the four weeks, following a torrid time for the industry.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday evening that the country would be forced into a second national lockdown, with pubs, restaurants, cafés, hairdressers and “non-essential” shops asked to close from Thursday until at least Wednesday, December 2.
As the finer points of the lockdown are debated in parliament, the News Telegraph spoke to a few traders in the town to ask their thoughts on the prospect of at least a month of lost earnings to cap off what had been a difficult year.
The pub trade is said to be one of the hardest hit from the tougher restrictions, which began with a total closure of all licensed establishments in March.
They were allowed to reopen in July but only with strict measures in place and, more recently, wearing masks and table-service becoming mandatory.
Ashbourne publican and branch secretary of the Campaign for Real Ale, Mark Grist, says the industry feels it has become a “soft target”.
He said: “The second lockdown was almost inevitable, given the similarities in the current situation across much of Europe in particular, where many countries have reintroduced measures, including Germany who did much better through the first wave.
“The fact of the matter for pubs here is that, despite no correlation between reopening and rates of infection increases, we are the softest target for imposing measures.
“We have been the most stringent sector in applying the measures imposed and yet we still take e the heaviest hits, both h from Government and from some of the public, who seem unwilling to accept its not publicans wanting to make their life awkward.”
Mr Grist adds ds that life as a pubublican has been en especially tough h over the last few months, as they struggle to encourage customers to adapt to the “new normal”. He said: “For most people, it’s giving a phone number and wearing a bit of cloth ov over their faces for the few seconds it takes to si sit down. “For publicans, it’s so much more, all o of which th threatens thei their continued existence e in the tr trade and yet people are all about their ‘inconvenience’ and ‘loss of personal freedoms’. Quite honestly, I shall enjoy the next four weeks of not having to get people to wear face masks, persuade them to sign in, argue about the number of households and how nine people are really only six, listen to complaints about how long it takes to get served and hear how horrible pub-going is in general.
“Try being on this side of the fence and striving to make it work for people, when you’re struggling to pay bills and wages with reduced and soon, no income.”
Berkeley Inns, which runs five pubs in the Ashbourne area, including the Cock Inn, in Mugginton, says the impact on the sector will be severe this time.
A spokesman said: “We want to thank our customers for the fantastic support given to us since reopening in early July.
“Thankfully, as far as we are aware, not one customer has contracted Covid in our establishments nor have any of our 200+ staff team.
“The Government’s action will devastate the hospitality business generally, and our hearts go out to all of those in our industry who will lose their jobs and businesses as a consequence.
“We can reassure you, however, that we will be back to serve you as soon as we are allowed and can’t wait to see you soon.”
Pubs are the softest target for imposing measures and have been safe to attend Mark Grist, of CAMRA