New guidance on Covid-19 has been a “complete disaster” for hospitality businesses in Dumfries and Galloway.
Public Health Scotland advised people to reconsider having work nights out as cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus continue to spread rapidly.
And that has left hospitality firms across the region counting the cost of cancellations.
The Cavens Arms in Dumfries has lost hundreds of bookings worth thousands of pounds.
Owner Gary Jeffries said: “It’s a complete disaster to be honest.
“We’ve had virtually every single party, especially the council and NHS parties, cancel. But not just them, we’ve had work parties as well.
“We lost about 100 bookings on Wednesday alone. We’re just hoping we can replace them with smaller tables but the problem is some of them are cancelling a bit late but that’s what we’re being faced with.”
Mr Jeffries added: “We’ve kept the screens between tables and handwashing up throughout all of this.
“I’ve had companies that work together, not bringing any partners, cancel and I don’t understand that. They all work together but they can’t come out for a meal.
“The Scottish Government have said they’ll give out about £1,500 per establishment impacted. I might as well give it back to them because our turnover is much higher than that.
“I know it’s nice to get something but it’s not going to cover a day’s takings here.
“We’re talking thousands of pounds that we’re losing. It’s massive.”
He added: “You can go to the pantomime, football and it’s fine but you can’t come out for a dinner.
“In saying that we’re lucky in a way. I feel sorry for places that are party-orientated. At least we have a chance to cover smaller tables. But if they bring in restrictions it could get worse.”
Kirkcudbright businessman Chris Walker confirmed he had also lost thousands of pounds worth of bookings in the days after people were urged to cancel festive parties.
“We probably had about £7,000 worth of cancellations within that weekend.”
