The 10pm curfew on hospitality is “yet another devastating blow” for the night-time economy and “will lead to the demise of many of our most beloved cultural and entertainment venues”, an industry body has warned.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be forced to close at 10pm from Thursday as part of new Government restrictions aimed at curbing the rise in coronavirus infections.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the industry was “in desperate need of sector-specific support from the Government”.
He continued: “Businesses in the night-time economy are both shocked and disappointed by the Government’s continued targeting of restrictions on late-night venues and bars, partially open at a fraction of their capacity, when they have admitted that the majority of transmission takes place in households.”
Mr Kill also predicted “a surge of unregulated events and house parties, which are the real hotbeds of infection, attended by frustrated young people denied access to safe and legitimate night-time hospitality venues”.
It’s the latest setback for a beleaguered industry, which is at risk of losing 700,000 jobs without further Government support, the NTIA warned last week.
Music venues in the UK have been allowed to host indoor performances since August 15, although many have cited the physical and financial impossibilities of social distancing and reduced capacities as an insurmountable barrier to reopening.
