The bosses of some of the region's largest breweries have joined together to fiercely oppose the introduction of Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions in Greater Manchester.
A strongly worded open letter, signed by the bosses of Joseph Holt, Hydes, JW Lees, Robinsons and Thwaites, slams the possible introduction of Tier 3 restrictions in Greater Manchester as 'pointlessly victimising and destroying' pubs.
In the letter they also reveal that since the start of July, not one of their 860 pubs had been contacted by Track and Trace as a result of a case linked to them.
They say that of the eight to 10million pub visits that have been made to their venues since then, only around 15 to 20 people have contacted them informally in the days after visiting to say that they have contracted the virus.
They added that they feel pubs are being made a scapegoat, and say that imposing Tier 3 restrictions would be 'a deliberate political act of wilful economic destruction, visited upon the North for no gain'.
An agreement has yet to be reached in regards to bringing in Tier 3 restrictions in Greater Manchester, after a week of tense negotiations between local and national government.
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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has repeatedly called for more financial support for businesses and workers affected by potential restrictions.
If Tier 3 restrictions were brought in, it would see pubs and bars forced to close. They could only remain open if they operate as if they are a restaurant.
Last night, the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham along with deputy Bev Hughes and the ten Greater Manchester council leaders, released a statement in which they said they are not convinced that closing hospitality venues is the only way to protect hospitals.
They say they believe that protecting health is about more than controlling the virus and requires proper support for people whose lives would be severely affected by a Tier 3 lockdown.
Further talks are due to be held with the government tomorrow.
