Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘Who in their right mind would want a beer outside in January?’
Pub bosses hit out as government considers post-xmas restrictions in wake of rising Omicron levels
Pub bosses across the district have slammed reports they could be forced to serve only outside as soon as next Tuesday - with some saying they would rather shut.
The government is considering whether to stop indoor mixing as the Omicron variant continues to surge across the county.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday that people could still go ahead with their festive plans because “there is not enough evidence to justify any tougher measures before Christmas”.
But he could not rule out restrictions coming into force before New Year’s Eve, saying: “We continue to monitor Omicron very closely and if the situation deteriorates we will be ready to take action if needed.”
It has been reported pubs and restaurants could be forced to serve outside only to restrict indoor mixing.
However, pub bosses say such measures would leave them questioning whether to remain open, as freezing cold temperatures would deter punters from venturing to their local.
Max Bell, who launched The Pub Micropub in Herne Bay this year, says a ban on indoor socialising would be a “jewel in the crown of terribleness”.
“We have a garden at the pub, but who in their right mind wants to sit in a garden at the end of December or the start of January and have a drink?,” he said.
“They might as well lock us down. It would be a real copout on the government’s part, saying we can keep the gardens open.
“That is all well and good in July, but in December there is no point.
“I wouldn’t go to a pub if I could only sit in the garden - not in January. I’m not that mad.”
His views are echoed by Sam Holden, who runs The Monument in St Dunstans, Canterbury.
“If it’s a case of only outdoor service, I think it would be completely unfeasible at this time of year,” he said.
“We would just close in that circumstance.
“There would be a few pubs with the right outdoor area and heating that could do it but very few in Canterbury I can think of.
“It’s not just money, it’s a case of the area you have.
“I don’t think the demand would be there, given January is such a quiet time anyway for the industry. To make people sit outside - no matter what the heater provision is - just wouldn’t work.
“It’s a bit daunting and, if this is supposed to be a solution, instead of something like furlough, then I think it is much less favourable.
“I think there should be an option to furlough people if
businesses wish to close.”
On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak announced a £1 billion support package to businesses hit by Covid restrictions and a wave of cancellations in the run up to Christmas.
It includes one-off grants of up to £6,000 for hospitality and leisure sector businesses, which the Treasury expects will be handed out by local authorities.
But the Chancellor said there was “an enormous amount of uncertainty” around the coming weeks.
Canterbury businessman Charles Smythe - who runs
the Old City Bar, Black Griffin, Seven Stars, Dolphin and Thomas Becket - says the £6,000 “doesn’t do anything” to help pubs and restaurants.
He told how one of his sites has been hit with more than 700 meal cancellations in less than three weeks.
“If they put restrictions on us so we just do table service, I would rather be closed,” he said.
“If they leave us open with restrictions where we can’t trade, we have to pay all of the costs for somebody to be there. Whereas if we close, we can turn our lights off and batten down
the hatches, and most probably get money off the government.
“I want Covid to stop, but either close us or leave us open and let people make their choice.”
Lisa Carlson, chief executive of the Canterbury Business Improvement District, says there “has not been any evidence” Covid cases originate in night-time economy businesses.
She had mixed opinions on the Chancellor’s £1 billion fund to help the hospitality sector.
“While I don’t think it goes far enough, it is at least heading in the right direction,” she said.
“In terms of any further restrictions, we have had a mixed reaction from businesses, but if they are forced to close or reduce their capacity, then as long as that comes with financial support, then we all understand that.”
Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame welcomes the new support package from the Chancellor and “appreciates the speed of his reaction”.
“While these are welcome financially, this does not remove the uncertainty faced by the hospitality industry,” he said.
“We recognise this is a starting point, and will not compensate for the loss of profit over the Christmas period.
“Given this package is available for eight weeks, we cannot rule out further restrictions.
“If these are introduced, additional support will be required to ensure the survival of the pubs and breweries that are at the heart of great British life.”
Canterbury City Council says the cash grants of up to £6,000 will be based on the rateable value on any business.
“The government is also making additional funding available to local authorities for their ARG (Additional Restrictions Grant) schemes,” a spokesman said.
“We do not currently have any more details about these grant schemes, including when payments will be made or whether an application form will be required.
“We need to wait for guidance to be published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.”
The Prime Minister announced there were no plans to enforce restrictions just days after visiting a vaccine centre at the former Saga centre in Ramsgate on Thursday (see opposite page).
‘It would be a real cop-out on the government’s part, saying we can keep the gardens open. That is all well and good in July, but in December there is no point’