Two of the biggest names in hospitality have threatened to take the government to court over its plans to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in England.
In a letter to the prime minister, Punch Taverns founder Hugh Osmond and Greater Manchester's night time economy adviser, Sacha Lord, said there is no "evidence or justification" to open shops five weeks before pubs and restaurants, the BBC reported.
The two men said the proposal was "plainly irrational" and noted that the industry is losing about £200mln a day.
Under current plans, non-essential retail will be able to open on April 12 at the earliest with outdoor hospitality, such as beer gardens, also allowed to reopen then. However, pubs and restaurants will not be allowed to welcome customers inside until at least May 17.
The two men have asked the government to seek specific advice from scientists "whether it is justifiable to prevent the hospitality industry opening whilst, at the same time, allowing non-essential shops to open".
They argued that "transmission is plainly higher in non-essential shops," and said they would pursue legal action if the government did not provide evidence to the contrary, the BBC reported.