With a tidal wave of Omicron comes a tsunami of cancellations. The central London economy — including our world-class restaurants, bars, theatres, shops and hotels — that places so much emphasis on a roaring Christmas trade, is now on the precipice.
Last night, Professor Chris Whitty said it didn’t take a scientist to know that if people want to spend Christmas with family, they’ll need to cut back on socialising beforehand.
This morning, health minister Gillian Keegan advised the public to “make a sensible choice for yourself” if they should go out during the explosion in Omicron cases.
We now have an untenable situation. Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin called it what it is: “Lockdown by stealth.” The Prime Minister is too compromised to call for greater regulations — either due to last year’s Christmas party or because he knows his backbenchers would not support new ones.
But without restrictions in place, theatres cannot claim insurance and in the absence of financial support, restaurants are unable to access furlough and pubs won’t benefit from a VAT cut. Where is the plan to help them?
The Chancellor, off in California, is silent while firms are crying out for help during the most important month of the year. Back at the start of the pandemic, Rishi Sunak told the country: “You will not face this alone.” But for much of the London economy right now, it’s everyone for themselves.
The Government is trying to have it both ways by effectively shutting down large swathes of the economy but not putting its hand in its pocket to help businesses worst affected. London’s businesses deserve better than humbug this Christmas.
