Hospitality fights back
Bitter blow for pubs and restaurants
East Kilbride pubs and restaurants have slammed a two-week mini lockdown in the hospitality industry fearing it could see last orders for many.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon ordered that all licensed premises in the central belt – which includes NHS Lanarkshire –had to shut their doors as of 6 pm last Friday in a bid to stem the tide of coronavirus cases.
It is a bitter blow for many who say they have done everything asked of them.
David Chan owns No 38 Bar and Grill in the Village and told the News the latest hit is “crippling” for small business owners like himself.
The 35-year-old said: “Despite abiding by all the rules we are being hit hard by this. We were one of the first to close down in March with minimal notice and here we are again being told to close down once more – yet again with minimal notice.
“Restaurants are safe – we know exactly who is coming in, how many households t here and have partitions and social distancing in place.
“We had a busy weekend planned with bookings and that was just taken away from us.”
David went on: “This is putting the nail in the coffin for many small businesses.
“We have been ignored and everything is against us.
“I will need to look at everyone’s job – I feel like every time I come up with a plan I am hammered again.
“As a small operation I go week to week, I don’t have a large cash flow behind me like larger chains.”
He added that the feared loss of revenue over their busy festive period would see many restaurants and bars “struggle to survive”.
Another rest au ran te ur, who only opened his doors last Christmas, but doesn’t want to be named, branded the two-week lock down“absolutely outrageous”.
He said: “No one understands what’s going on, there’s mixed messages and quite frankly it’s a disgrace.
“The government are blaming everyone but themselves – whether it’s the hospitality industry or young people.
“We have done everything asked of us which really isn’t easy, and we have been closed again. It’s totally unfair.”
Meanwhile Barocco Bar in the Village also took to Facebook to vent their frustration.
Its entertainment manager previously warned that the 10 pm cur few alone would see many in the hospitality industry close their doors by Christmas.
On the post to customers they wrote: “Since the very first day we re-opened we have followed the rules and went over and above what was required. We as a member of the hospitality industry feel we are being unduly discriminated against and penalised yet again.
“It isn’t just our pub that suffers though it has knock-on consequences. From our staff to our entertainers. When will this end?
However, Irish bar Mo Char a, say while this is “extremely difficult” for the industry the virus “needs to be brought under control”.
A spokesman said: “Without a doubt it ’s so disappointing that we are back to where we were before but we’ll get through it.
“But two weeks won’t have the same effect as the previous lockdown and we need to look at the bigger picture. We have been told support is available so we will have to wait and see exactly what that is.”
Zucca Ristorante say they will operate a take-away service from their Village premises but that the town centre outlet will close completely.
They vowed to keep on all staff in the meantime.