Pubs and restaurants in Gedling borough could bear the brunt in a revised tier system being drawn up for after lockdown which would allow local churches, gyms, shops and cinemas to reopen.
The new Covid Winter Plan is set to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson later today at 3.30pm, with a new tier system included.
The Daily Telegraph has today reported that the new measures are expected to be tougher than those put in place prior to lockdown.
Gedling borough had been in tier three before country-wide restrictions were introduced on November 5.
Under the old tiers, pubs in tier three could still remain open if they could operate as restaurants, while in tier two they could keep trading as normal but customers could not mix indoors with anyone from another household.
The 10pm curfew for hospitality is expected to be scrapped and instead last orders will be called at 10pm with an hour’s drinking up time before a new curfew time of 11pm. But this concession will be of little use to any borough pubs and restaurants placed under tier three.
It is still hoped that these restrictions could be relaxed for Christmas, allowing most pubs and restaurants to trade.
Camra’s national chairman Nik Antona CAMRA today slammed the plans, calling them a ‘kick in the teeth’ to publicans.
He said: “Publicans across the country will be angry this morning, and they have every right to be.
Once again, the hospitality sector is being singled out for further restrictions without evidence. This is a blow to the vast majority of publicans who have invested money and time into making their premises COVID-secure, and for the consumers that were using pubs to socialise safely.
“CAMRA is particularly dismayed to see the extension of the ‘substantial meal’ requirement to pubs in Tier 2. Yet again, decision makers are punishing wet-led, community pubs.
“Publicans now face an excruciating wait for further details on which areas will sit in which Tier – and after that many will have to make agonising decisions about the future of their businesses.
“If the Government wishes to continue with these unfair and un-evidenced plans, it must announce a proper, sector-specific support package or we will see mass pub closures and mass job losses as communities lose their beloved locals forever.”
While there is bad news for Gedling borough’s pubs, other restrictions could be lighter than under the old tier system.
It is expected that it will be announced that all borough shops will be allowed to open in all tiers, together with gyms and places of worship, while recreational sport, including golf, tennis and organised team sports can resume.
Cinemas like The Bonington will only be allowed to reopen in tiers one and two, and the advice to “work from home if you can” will remain in place.
It won’t be known until later in the week which tier will be enforced at the end of lockdown on December 2.
MPs are expected to be briefed later this week and also have their say before a final decision is taken.
