British pubs fear fresh restrictions will ruin business

With more cities in the United Kingdom entering into higher-level lockdown restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic, pubs and bars in the worst-hit areas are facing closure again.

The British Beer and Pub Association said this will place great strain on the industry, and is asking the government for evidence-based, proportionate measures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week introduced a three-tiered system of local COVID-19 alert levels in England, in an attempt to stem the second wave of the virus.

Living under tier 2 restrictions means different households are asked not to mix in pubs and bars, which now shut at 10 pm. Under tier 3 restrictions, the "very high" alert level, pubs and bars which do not serve meals must close.

The industry association, which represents brewers and pubs, said the introduction of the new system in the north of England could destroy the pub business there.

This could be on top of what is already a very challenging period for the sector with the 10 pm curfew and service limited to tables, resulting in a huge reduction in consumer confidence, said the trade association, which also cited rules limiting gathering to six people.

It pointed out no hard evidence has been given yet to suggest that pubs, with their strict adherence to government guidelines, are unsafe, making it unclear if such blanket measures will make a major difference.

'Illogical unfair'

"Singling out pubs for closure and further restrictions is simply the wrong decision, illogical and grossly unfair. Tier 2 and 3 restrictions will both decimate pubs, brewers and their supply chains unless a proper package of support is given to them," said Emma McClarkin, chief executive officer of the industry association.

According to a Public Health England surveillance report, between 3 and 5 percent of COVID-19 cases were linked to pubs and restaurants over the past month.

"That's why we are calling for a proportionate response to the virus based on tangible transmission evidence," McClarkin said. "Where is the merit in closing pubs to combat the virus based on that information? Especially when they are providing a safe and regulated place for people to meet at."

The hospitality sector was closed from late March to early July and only restarted operations in a social-distanced capacity over the summer. The government introduced a curfew forcing pubs and restaurants to close at 10 pm on Sept 24.

McClarkin said: "These further restrictions will leave most pubs fighting for their very survival."

She urged the government to clarify how long these restrictions will be in place and what criteria the decisions for moving in and out of the tiering system will be based on.