Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, has once again rebuked the Government’s handling of the hospitality sector following the region’s move into Tier 3.
Providing an update on the latest phase of his Judicial Review, which examines the legality of implementing emergency restrictions on the sector without scientific evidence, Lord condemned the move into Tier 3 as “a display of ignorance over the importance of wet led pubs on deprived areas”, and slammed the Government’s latest £1,000 offer of support to pubs forced to close as “insulting and out of touch”.
In a response sent to the Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, last night (Tuesday 2 December), Lord again demanded the Government provide greater scientific evidence to merit the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants in Tier 3 areas.
The legal case states that if sufficient evidence cannot be presented, the Government must relax rules for hospitality in the region, including moving Greater Manchester into Tier 2, and forgoing the ‘substantial meal’ element – a rule which has been widely ridiculed.
The legal update comes following the Prime Minister’s announcement that each venue affected by closures would be handed £1,000. In total, 38,000 hospitality venues fall under Tier 3 in England from 3 December – representing 20% of trade. Many of these fall within deprived areas.
Sacha Lord says: “I am pleased with how this case has progressed to date, and we have already achieved so much simply by pushing forward and applying constant pressure on the Government.”
“Our previous letter forced the Government (in their response) to disclose that their decision to close hospitality in Tier 3 is primarily based on an American report of only 314 people. That same report has been dismissed as substantial evidence for the move, even by the author itself, and as such does nothing to counter our arguments that the closure of hospitality is baseless, if not absurd.”
“We have also constantly pushed for a review into the original 10pm curfew, and I am pleased that our correspondence forced a rethink and a change to the measure. It’s a small win in this process but has created much safer environments for customers and for the pub, bar and restaurant staff working in areas where curfews are present.”
“However, our work is not done, and there are thousands of venues which need urgent support.”
“We will continue with this process and lobby the Government for the adequate scientific data which merits the closure of hospitality in Tier 3 areas. We still do not believe there is substantial evidence, and will continue to fight for those businesses who have been condemned to almost certain adminstration and bankruptcy as a result of the Tiered system.”
