Hospitality businesses fear for the future after new rules brought in

The new restrictions mean pubs, bars and restaurants will have to close at 10pm, have no more than six people sitting together at one time and guests and staff will have to wear face coverings while not sitting at a table.

Restaurant owners said they feel they have been given mixed messages and that the industry has been one of the hardest hit throughout the pandemic.

Terence Carvalho, general manager at Becketts in Southsea, said: ‘The hospitality industry is taking a real hit this year. From Covid restrictions, limits on number of guests and now a 10pm curfew. Just a few weeks ago, the nation was taking advantage of Eat Out to Help Out and now it’s become Close Up to Help Out.

‘The number of cases is rising so of course it is only right the government put measures in place to ensure we don't require a second national lockdown. Another lockdown would be the final nail in the coffin for our economy and for many of our beloved businesses in Portsmouth.

‘This year at Becketts, we overcame every obstacle in our way and I'm confident the team will continue to overcome the challenges faced from this global pandemic.’

George Purnell, founder of restaurant Koop+Kraft, in Waterlooville, said: ‘It’s a kick in the teeth for the whole industry, especially after Eat Out to Help Out, it doesn’t make much sense. One minute, we’re all being told to eat out and then it’s the first industry to see changes and everyone is being warned away.

‘Hospitality is a resilient and innovative industry and I’d expect that many businesses, like ourselves, will come out fighting, however, some simply won’t be able to survive closing earlier.

‘For us it has been a tough six months and just as we thought it was starting to get back to normal, things are changing again.’

Ben Maguire, who owns Portsmouth-based spirits company, HMS Spirits, supplies drinks to bars and restaurants.

He said: ‘The hospitality industry is being unfairly targeted during the pandemic.’

David Bevan, who runs website Love Your Pub, from Portsmouth, said: ‘The hospitality industry is a huge influence and provider to our local communities.

‘The industry is not the enemy here, it is full of fantastic operators and individuals who want to delight their customers and run their own businesses every day, albeit now under different circumstances and restrictions.

‘Our operators have invested, in some cases, everything they own into their venues and we cannot stand by and watch them lose everything - new restrictions need to be followed up with new additional commercial support.’

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the county’s largest independent not-for-profit business support and networking organisation, called for more support from government.

Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber chief executive and executive chairman, said: ‘The new restrictions on pubs, bars and restaurants will dismay many in the hospitality and leisure sectors already bracing themselves for the withdrawal of furlough support in just a few weeks’ time.

‘We therefore call on government to consider a targeted, flexible approach to furlough to help mitigate the impact of the restrictions.

‘While of course the country can’t continue with a fully-fledged furlough subsidy for all sectors indefinitely, as the economic cost would be prohibitive, there is a good argument for maintaining a level of furlough support specifically for hospitality and leisure.

‘It may not have to be as generous as the subsidies up to now, but a degree of flexibility, for example around part-time working, could make all the difference to struggling pubs and restaurants.’

From Monday, a maximum of 15 people will be allowed to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Andrew Pearce, from Creatiques in Southsea, said: 'It is ridiculous. You are allowed to go into pubs, schools and supermarkets where there are lots of people but you are not allowed more than 15 people at your wedding. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

‘People want to celebrate that with their friends and families. There is so much that goes into that day. The wedding industry has been neglected. It is such a shame as there are fantastic businesses that are having to close their doors. It makes me very upset. It is a very sad day for weddings once again.'