‘It should have been done a long time ago’

Pub owners have reacted to the news of a new national lockdown, hoping it provides a change in fortune allowing them to open sooner rather than later.

England is now in its third national lockdown in 10 months in the battle against Covid.

The news has left business owners across the country devastated and adds to the pressure on North East pubs.

The Echo spoke to three Washington pub owners for their reaction.

Lee Jobling, owner of The Victoria Inn, said: “It should have been done a long time ago. It’s about time the Government gave people a bit of a wake-up call. I think now we all need to stick together and look at it as taking a step closer to getting open. People need to take notice now and think about what they’re doing. We all have to take this seriously to get through it as fast as possible.”

Joanne Wood, manager of The Wheelhouse in Albany said: “I just keep wondering when we’ll be able to open again. We’ve been open and then closed for that long it feels like lockdown has become the new normal.

"It’ s difficult now but hopefully this will be positive in the long run and allow us to open sooner. You’ve got to stay positive in times like this.”

Mark Farnsworth, owner of the Sky Lounge, in Oxclose Road, Washington, said: “I think it’s too little to late now to be honest. I think we should have bitten the bullet sooner and persevered to get through the thick of it, rather than stopping and starting constantly.”