‘Catastrophic impact with no end in sight’

BERKS: Businesses in Windsor have reacted to the news that they will be placed in Tier 3 .

Theatre Royal Windsor’s last performance of Cinderella (until Tier 3 restrictions are lifted) will take place tonight (Friday).

Actor Martin Cabble-Reid, who plays the character of Buttons, said it would be ‘devastating’ for performers financially. It will also mean that 150 of the remaining free tickets for disadvantaged families, via his Kevin Cruise foundation, cannot be used.

Pubs will also be forced to close except for takeaway services.

Jake Reilly, general manager of The Corner Ale & Cider House Pub on Sheet Street, said: “It’s very frustrating, it’s another hurdle to overcome, at such short notice.

“The cost of stocking the pub each time we come out of lockdown is ridiculous. We are known for our hand-pulled real ales, which don’t keep – about three or four barrels of it just go down the drain.”

Jake expects that everyone except himself and the chef will need to be furloughed.

Nicholas Bayldon-Pritchard runs five pubs in Windsor, and all but one of them will have to close.

The Horse and Groom on Castle Hill, the Queen Victoria and Piper Art Bar in Peascod Street and the Watermans Arms in Eton will all be shut. “It will have a catastrophic impact with no end in sight,” said Nicholas. “We have gone along with Government guidance and have lost so much money.”

The Fox and Castle in Old Windsor will remain open to cook all the Christmas day meals customers will no longer be able to enjoy inside the pub. These will be offered at a discounted price and delivered within a five-mile radius on Christmas day.

Nicholas added that he is not surprised. “I’ve been looking at the figures for Slough and it was only a matter of time,” he said.