Northampton pubs speak out against being 'persecuted' under looming tiered lockdown restrictions

Pubs across Northampton and England have shared their frustration at the impending lockdown tiers that are "persecuting" locals and restaurants.

The Government is set to roll out regional restrictions at the end of the second coronavirus national lockdown on December 2.

But with guidance on which counties are in what tier expected to be published tomorrow (November 26), pub owners have expressed frustration at how the rules are making a "mockery" of the industry by punishing them compared to restrictions on other venues and even households.

The announcement tomorrow means indoor entertainment and restaurants will have just a week to organise stock and staffing ready to open - or not at all if they are dropped into tier three.

Gary McManus is the director of Northampton's McManus Pub Company, which owns 15 venues in and around the town, including The Fox and Hounds, The Sun Inn, The Sir Pickering Phipps and the Wig & Pen.

He told the Chronicle & Echo: "My thinking is we won't be in tier one - but we're doing better than some other parts of the country.

"At the end of the day we've got to get rid of this virus.

"But this Government seems to think that although there's no evidence of it that the pubs and restaurants are a problem.

"They're also reviewing the tiers every 14 days. We will get our first review on December 10, but after that our next review could be December 24. What if they decide to send us up a tier on Christmas Eve? We'll lose all the stock we get in for Christmas. That would be a worry."

Under tier three, all pubs must shut and can only sell goods for takeaway. Under tier two, a pub will only be able to sell drinks if they're eaten with "a substantial meal".

In contrast, gyms will be allowed to stay open under Tier 3 restrictions while outdoor and indoor spectator sport venues are returning for the first time this year in tier one and two with restrictions.

Meanwhile, it has been suggested that restrictions will be further lifted around Christmas time and up to three households will be able to mix, and this has been criticized.

Liz Cox of The Old Five Bells Pub in Kingsthorpe said: "We just don't know why we're being persecuted. I've got customers telling me they feel more safe in my pub then they do in the supermarket.

"I don't know what tier we will be in, but they're saying they will loosen restrictions around Christmas. How am I supposed to plan around that?

"The Old Five Bells is launching a carvery on December 4. It's something we've been planning since before lockdown and it means we will be able to offer a substantial meal to customers if we end up in tier two.

"The only thing I'm worried about it that last orders will be at 10pm and closing time is 11pm - meaning we will need to pay staff for an hour where we aren't making any money."

In a statement this week chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association Emma McClarkin said: "These plans for Christmas make a mockery of the extra restrictions being placed on pubs and the economic devastation they are facing this Christmas.

“How can it be that pubs cannot properly open while households can mix in private settings?

"The Government data has consistently shown that house-to-house transmission is one of the highest, whereas hospitality has accounted for as little as 2% of COVID incidences when open.

“It seems the Government has chosen to inflict unnecessary pain and irreversible damage on our sector without publishing evidence alongside these decisions."