‘It feels like Armageddon’ – business owners react to Tier 3 decision

“Armageddon” for the sector – that is the reaction from the owner of a new Warwickshire restaurant that’s remained closed for longer than it’s been open due to the pandemic, following the Government announcement that the vast majority of the West Midlands would remain under Tier 3 restrictions.

Jose Ribeiro, who is losing more than £2,000 for every week We Love Pizza is closed, has only been permitted to welcome diners for 60 days since its launch in September – despite taking over the lease in late February.

He says: “It feels like Armageddon, I just feel like crying. Once again, the Government is acting without any rhyme nor reason, no science to back up the decisions they’re making, and hospitality once again bears the brunt of this pandemic.

“Trying to stop the bucket from leaking without plugging all the holes is impossible, silly and a complete waste of time and energy.

“This will have a devastating impact on the mental health of our teams and keeping Warwickshire in Tier 3 will see many, many more previously successful hospitality businesses facing ruin.”

Helen Peters

Helen Peters, chief executive of Shakespeare’s England, said: “Although it is disappointing that Warwickshire remains in Tier 3, realistically it is not surprising with the rising number of Covid-19 cases across the country and mounting concerns over the relaxation of the rules during Christmas and the effect that may have.

“Now is the time for people to take full responsibility and abide by the rules, so that we can get the number of cases down and work towards a more positive situation for 2021.”

Keeping large areas of the UK in Tier 3 could result in a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, according to the leader of Birmingham’s main entertainments zone.

Mike Olley, who runs the Westside Business Improvement District (BID), was speaking immediately after health secretary Matt Hancock announced that Birmingham and many other areas were not moving into Tier 2 before Christmas.

Birmingham’s Westside area includes the renowned ‘golden mile’ of Broad Street as well as Brindleyplace, Gas Street Basin and surrounding areas where some 150-odd bars, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues are based.

Olley said: “By keeping our entertainment district closed, people will be wanting to meet up and socialise to the maximum levels allowed over Christmas, and probably much more.

“What may have been a careful sip of sherry on the doorstep could now turn into a veritable party in the warm and stuffy halls, lounges, dining rooms, kitchens and garages of thousands of family homes across the Midlands.

“Compare that risky environment to the safe places that entertainment venues have created and you could be unleashing a mass of COVID-19 infections that will keep Birmingham, the Midlands and the UK in semi-lockdown for weeks or even months ahead.”

Olley explained that he was “furious” about the Tiers decision when all his BID members had been spending tens of thousands of pounds on new safety measures, training, protocols and equipment to keep their staff and customers safe.

He said: “To be honest, the government ruined Christmas without good reason two weeks ago by placing us in Tier 3. Even if this changed tomorrow there’s little chance of opening pubs and restaurants for at least a couple of days because of supplies, getting staff back to work and so on.

“Our Christmas trade would normally would have climaxed this weekend, so all Mr Hancock has done today is to confirm that all is now lost for the whole festive period.

“Even if the next review in a fortnight’s time moves us into Tier 2 it will be too late for the healthy boost in trade we normally see on New Year’s Eve. And then we are into the usual doldrums of early January.”

Olley added: “Not only will this continuing Tier 3 be even more devastating for the local economy, but the resulting parties in many homes will make it even harder for communities and the economy to recover.”

Nick Abell

Nick Abell, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), said: “The announcement that most of the country is now going to remain in Tier 3 until Christmas is not surprising.

“Whilst the pandemic continues to impact significantly on our long-suffering businesses, the government has to balance everyone’s freedoms against the clear issues around the increase in Covid-19 especially as we head towards Christmas.

“As has always been the case, it is a fine balance between the effects of spreading the virus and minimising the impact on our economy.

“Whilst we continue to lobby the government as hard as we can for continued financial support for our businesses to mitigate against some of the impact of their forced closure, I would urge everybody to not only comply with the restrictions but also use common sense in their behaviour over the festive period.”