The hospitality industry is once again making the headlines amid fears of new restrictions alongside the impact of the 10pm curfew enforced last week.
Westminster is reportedly considering tougher restrictions to clamp down on socialising to avoid the further spread of COVID-19.
READ: Coronavirus: Pubs and restaurants stocks rebound with new restrictions better than feared
The Times revealed ministers are mulling over a social lockdown across Northern England and potentially London, shuttering pubs and restaurants for two weeks and banning people from different households from meeting in any indoor location.
“We don’t want to bring on new restrictions but of course we keep a constant eye on what is going on with the COVID rate,” Junior Health Minister Helen Whately told Sky News. “We were looking at what we might be able to do.”
Curfew issues
Meanwhile, the 10pm curfew enforced last Thursday came under fire after people ended up gathering in the streets or choking up public transport by leaving venues en masse.
Day three of a 10pm curfew: people in Liverpool have gone to the off license to pick up more drinks and continue to party in the street. pic.twitter.com/GOMhNp5rDl
— Charlie Haynes (@charliehtweets) September 26, 2020
At the weekend, senior Tory backbencher Tobias Ellwood told the government to “revisit” the rule while Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper highlighted there is no modelling on its effect by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
Talking about consequences, Revolution Bars (LON:RBG) started a reduction of its estate via a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in the wake of the new rule, expected to hit trading considerably.
Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore PLC (LON:FUL) said on Monday it does not estimate a material effect on its dine-in business, while Wetherspoons’ (LON:JDW) boss Tim Martin slammed it as a PR stunt last week.
There is only no work or the work is unviable because of govt imposed restrictions - the third largest employer in the Uk is not unviable and sector specific restrictions justify sector specific support to ensure businesses survive to Olay their part in the recovery https://t.co/v1HfylzHBQ
— Kate Nicholls (@UKHospKate) September 28, 2020
“This vicious economic circle, still likely to be confirmed by a spike in unemployment later in the year, could then affect both consumer spending and sentiment, while at the same time putting further pressure on sectors such as tourism, travel and hospitality, which are already in dire straits given this year’s events,” said Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor.
Concerns all around
On Friday, trade groups British Beer & Pub Association, UKHospitality and the British Institute of Innkeeping said 23% of their members think their businesses will fail by the end of the year without further government support.
The survey was conducted before the new curfew was imposed.
The industry urged ministers to immediately put in place a new sector-specific employment support package and to extend the VAT cut and business rates holiday for the sector.
On Monday, the government applied the curfew rule on bars in the House of Commons after receiving heavy criticism on its exemption.
The venues were initially allowed to sell alcohol even after 10pm on the basis that they are “workplace canteens” and workers could not get food elsewhere.
