'We must open our pubs', say Wigan's landlords

This is the desperate plea of the owners of struggling Wigan pubs and restaurants speaking as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to reveal his roadmap out of lockdown on Monday (February 22).

For almost a year since the first Covid-19 lockdown was announced, hospitality in Wigan and elsewhere has grappled with months of closures and following various social distancing rules when open.

Those involved in the industry in Wigan now want to see some much-needed cheer and imminent re-openings, amid speculation that hospitality could re-open as early as the Easter weekend.

Media reports have suggested various reopening dates for hospitality with the caveat that the initial reopening may be for outdoors rather than indoors.

They do, however, suggest that measures such as the substantial meal rule and curfews, would no longer be in place.

Luke Beddow, manager of The Billinge Arms, said “there would be no point” in pubs re-opening if they still had to adhere to various restrictions such as trading outdoors.

He said: “We need to re-open soon and without a curfew and all the rules and regulations imposed last year and the tier system.

“This can’t happen and keep going on like this.

“I’ve heard hospitality could re-open by the end of March and I do hope this is the case.

“There’s been talk about pubs opening without serving alcohol and this defeats the object.

“They’re trying to turn us into something we’re not.

“If the government had done their job properly, we wouldn’t have to be pay for it and suffer like we are now. If we can’t get back to normality after people have vaccinated, then what is the point?

“There will be nothing left and many pubs won’t open again.”

Tony Callaghan, who owns a number of bars including those under the Fifteens brand, said hospitality should reopen when its safe to do so.

He said: “I’ll go with what the scientists and government are saying, and as long as everyone is the same.

“We don’t want to be going into another lockdown and having to close again when we re-open.

“I’ve got hundreds of staff and it’s difficult motivating them and keeping their spirits up.

“It will cripple the hospitality industry if we don’t get this right. I’ve already lost thousands in food and beer and other alcohol which has gone to waste.”

Andrew McKenna, landlord of The Crown at Worthington, said pubs needed normality.

He said: “Everyone wants to re-open as soon as possible and to have no more opening and closing.

“The government need to open us up as the economy can’t keep on going like this.

“A lot of herd immunity has been generated by the over 70s getting their first vaccination and lots of people already having Covid.

“There can be no going back or lockdowns after this one.”

Their comments come after UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls Nicholls warned of job cuts and businesses closing doors if openings were delayed.

She said: “Let’s be absolutely clear - pubs and restaurants open outdoors only is not economically feasible and delaying opening until May without significant additional compensation will see large numbers of busienss failures and job losses.”

A Government spokesman said: “We will set out our plan for reopening schools and, gradually, the economy in the week of 22 February.

“Ministers regularly engage with the sector to understand their concerns and discuss how the sector can restart when it is safe to do so.

“We have put in place one of the most comprehensive and generous packages of business support in the world worth £280billion.

“This includes a new one-off grant worth up to £9,000, VAT relief, various loan schemes, a business rates holiday as well as the extended furlough scheme.”

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