Another blow for pubs and clubs
City hospitality bosses preparing for June 21 ‘Freedom Day’ slam delay
BORIS Johnson’s announcement that final Covid restriction will not be lifted came as a bitter blow to hospitality and retail bosses in Birmingham.
Capacity limits for sporting events, pubs and cinemas will continue – while nightclubs will now remain closed .
Birmingham has now been designated as a ‘strengthened support area’ to tackle a rise in delta variant cases of the coronavirus.
It means the city will be handed additional resources for surge testing, tracing and maximising vaccine uptake.
But Birmingham’s council leader cast doubt on the final lockdown restrictions even being lifted on July 19 because of concerns over levels of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
Cllr Ian Ward said unless the Government could deliver Pfizer or Moderna vaccines “in the right numbers”, it was “hard to see how we can safely unlock on July 19”.
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is now calling on the Government to take steps to support those businesses impacted by remaining restrictions, including reviewing the planned reduction in Government contribution to furlough payments from July 1.
The chamber also wants the Government to bring forward the Business Rates Discretionary Relief Fund announced in March but still awaiting Parliamentary approval.
Chief executive Henrietta Brealey said: “Many of our much-loved businesses, particularly in the live events, hospitality and travel sectors and their supply chains, remain severely impacted by current regulations.
“If businesses start to see trade impacted by Birmingham’s designation as a strengthened support area and the loose guidance on travel and socialising associated with it, we will
It’s blatantly unfair and sadly will be the last straw for many struggling local businesses Julia Robinson, of Southside BID, pictured
be urgently escalating the need for immediate action.”
Nicola Fleet-Milne, chairwoman of Colmore Business Improvement District, said one of the key concerns was the lack of support for businesses adversely affected by this latest delay.
“Many businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, have struggled to make ends meet over the last 12 months and this extension comes as a number of support schemes come to an end,” she told the Post.
“While the night-time economy has been severely affected, we must also remember the all-day economy
such as those open for lunches, coffees and catch ups which play a key part in the ongoing attractiveness of our high streets.
“The restrictions on capacity for these businesses mean they continue to struggle. With many offices looking towards September for a fresh start, additional financial support for the sector will be instrumental in ensuring city centres and high streets survive as attractive, vibrant places to live, work and visit.”
Her concerns were mirrored by Julia Robinson, manager of Southside Business Improvement District whose remit covers the area around
Hurst Street. “The strengthened support being offered by the government is effectively surge testing and mass vaccination,” she said.
“There are businesses within the hospitality sector that cannot legally open yet that have received less financial support than some that have been trading since April.
“It’s blatantly unfair and sadly will be the last straw for many struggling local businesses.”
Santa Bojarinova is general manager of Domo Hotel which opened in Oldbury in May.
She said: “If the advice is to continue to work from home and events and exhibitions are still on hold, this means it will be another extended period of low occupancy and low revenue.
“As a company that has heavily invested in a business in an area that needs new business blood, it’s frustrating there isn’t more financial compensation or support from the Government.”
Anita Champaneri runs hospitality marketing firm Delicious PR and the Birmingham Rum Festival event which was due to take place on August 14.
She told the Post: “It’s extremely frustrating for restaurants, bars, nightclubs and wedding venues thinking June 21 really would be freedom day and they could at last welcome group bookings. Sadly, the industry has been let down. We will have to postpone the rum festival as we can’t afford to spend time, energy and resources to have it cancelled again at a later date. With no event insurance available, we can’t even chance it.
“What is the city council going to do to help those who have another lost summer of events?”