The new strict tier system will be the ‘end of the traditional British pub’, Sacha Lord says

Sacha Lord says he was heartbroken to hear the tougher new restrictions the government is introducing after lockdown, which could be ‘the end of the local’.

Mr Lord, the Night Time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester, has commented on the tighter tiering restrictions which will see the closure of pubs, bars and restaurants in Tier 3 areas (with the exception of takeaway services).

He said: “Today’s announcements will spell the end of the traditional British pub as we know it and will have a devastating impact on communities.”

He added that he ‘heard reports’ that 94% of pubs in Tier 3 will go under by spring, something he describes as ‘no exaggeration’.

He continued: “These places are the lifeblood of communities. A place to let off steam, to share wins and tragedies. They provide places of comfort, laughter, friendship and socialisation for many, not just for the elderly, but for the disadvantaged. To kill these vital social spaces with these hardline measures, backed by little scientific evidence, will be a devastating blow to the very fabric of British culture.

“It is clear that the ever increasing debt from rents, rates and bills will be too much for the majority, especially the independent operators which cannot lean on parent companies.

“Operators across Greater Manchester and the UK have spent several millions on making their venues covid-secure, following the Government’s own guidelines, and I can only view these new regulations as a knife in the back and to the heart of the sector.

“Operators now face business ruin and the finalisation of redundancy procedures, and for a sector where 21% of full time workers and 53 per cent of part time workers are already paid under Living Wage*, many workers now face an increased risk of poverty.

“For those who used to go to their locals for a pint after work, to see friends or to watch football, these moves will only serve to increase severe loneliness and isolation.

“For regulations which are supposedly built on keeping people safe, I am certain these moves will not only encourage people to gather in their own homes, but will also increase the likelihood of illegal parties or raves. It is once again a move that will do more harm than good.

“On Thursday, the Government will vote on these proposed measures. We urge MPs on both sides to do the right thing and vote against the destruction of the nation’s most loved sector.”