With the Government discussing imposing Tier 4 restrictions across Sussex, some Brighton pubs and venues are shutting up shop early.
Brighton pubs, venues, shut early over tier fears
With the Government discussing imposing Tier 4 restrictions across Sussex, some Brighton pubs and venues are shutting up shop early.
Brighton pubs and venues are closing early ahead of a Government Covid Taskforce meeting that is expected to place Sussex into Tier 4 restrictions.
The Covid-O Operations Committee is meeting Wednesday 23 December to decide on the imposition of further restrictions to curb the exponential rise of Covid infections.
The majority of the South East, including London, Surrey, Essex, Kent and Hampshire have already been placed under new Tier 4 measures and now Sussex is expected to follow, so reports The Times and The Daily Mail.
With updates from central Government neither timely nor particularly clear, some pubs and venues in Brighton will shut early this festive season in preparation.
The Caxton Arms announced across its socials that it will be closing on Christmas Eve until it was both safe and fiscally viable to reopen.
The Concorde 2 music venue also announced its temporary closure, meaning that all planned socially-distanced events are cancelled forthwith.
Brighton pubs and venues, much like most of the UK, have been put in a perilous position by current, and looming regulations.
Whilst those in Tier 2 and below have been legally able to operate restrictions have meant that trade has been reduced to a shadow of its normal state.
Beelzebab, the kitchen at The Hope and Ruin, commented on the sad state of affaris.
“Another reality of the government’s total mishandling of this situation is an entirely empty bar three days before Xmas at lunchtime (having just accepted enough stock to see us through to the new year, as many of our wholesalers close over this time). At this point as a caterer we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.Wishing you all a safe, happy and Covid free Christmas and New Year from everyone here.
“Thank you for all your custom through this quagmire of BS. Here’s our current kitchen opening hours until those pagans in charge decide what’s happening.”
The UK pub trade has been decimated by the Government’s handling of the Covid pandemic. This Christmas period alone 39m fewer pints and 5m fewer dinners are expected to be served, according to the British Bars and Pubs Association (BBPA), and will represent the quietest festive season on record.
Faced with losing the most lucrative trading period of the entire year, many operations are facing almost certain closure, with Government support (a paltry £1,000 for wet-led pubs) more disgracefully short in supply.
It is estimated that community pubs are on average are currently facing £5,000 loss per month in operating costs with it taking a further £4,000 to open and close each time the Government orders so.
Publicans, the Campaign for Real Ale, the BBPA, UKHospitality, and the Independent Family Brewers of Britain have all called for more financial assistance to support the sector – the third largest in the entire bloody country.
Should Sussex be moved into Tier 4 restrictions due to concerns of proximity to other areas, it would be a kick in the head for a city already laid out on the floor.
Brighton Undercurrent 