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Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin has called on the government to lift restrictions on pubs at the same time as non-essential shops, warning that the industry is “on its knees” and needs to reopen to save jobs.
“Many people have correctly pointed out that the three lockdowns of the last year have been a disaster for the hospitality, retail, arts and entertainment industries, but our calculations show that they have been an even bigger disaster for public finances,” Mr Martin said.
He pointed out that Wetherspoon had paid £6.1bn in taxes over the last decade but was now handing over £10 to the government for every £1 of profit as its venues remain closed.
Mr Martin’s comments came as over 160 hospitality bosses, wrote to the chancellor ahead of next month’s Budget calling for decisive support to help the sector survive and rebuild.
The group wants Rishi Sunak to continue a VAT rate cut and business rates holiday for another year, extend the furlough scheme and offere better repayment terms on coronavirus business loans.
Speculation has mounted in recent days about when the UK’s pubs bars and restaurants will be able to welcome customers again.
Reports over the weekend suggested that Britons may be able to enjoy a drink outdoors from April thanks to a vaccine rollout that has seen the NHS give a first dose of the jab to more than 15 million people.
But public health figures and the health secretary, Matt Hancock have warned that there is some way to go before the rules can be relaxed safely.
The government ruled out “vaccine passports” which would allow access to bars, restaurants and other venues for those who have been inoculated against Covid-19.
He confirmed that ministers are working on a vaccine passport to allow travel to some countries, but added: “That is different from saying we are going to lift lockdown rules differentially according to whether you have had the jab or not. We are not planning to do that.”
Wetherspoon removed posters sceptical of the public benefits of lockdown last month as case numbers and deaths surged, forcing the chain to admit that “a few of the comments are out of date “.
However, Mr Martin maintained that hospitality groups have provided the government with information that “clearly demonstrates” that pubs and restaurants are Covid-secure environments, following the investment of hundreds of millions of pounds in safety and hygiene measures.
“The government knows this is correct, since it has access to Test and Trace information.
“Yet the government has ignored this information and has even banned golf – the ultimate social distancing sport.”
He added: “Surely it is possible for the hospitality industry to reopen at the same time as non-essential shops, now that a vaccine exists, on the basis of the social distancing and hygiene regulations.
“Unless the industry does reopen on that basis, economic mayhem will inevitably follow.”
Almost 10,000 licensed premises, including pubs, clubs and restaurants, closed permanently last year according to business advisory firm AlixPartners. The number of premises fell 5,975 when new openings were taken into account.
Kate Nichols, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade body said: “Lots of businesses have taken a beating and many are still only just clinging on. The support that the government has provided in the past year has been crucial in keeping businesses alive, giving them breathing room and allowing them to keep jobs safe.
“That support must continue if we want to see as many businesses and jobs secure as possible, and hospitality play the key role we know it can play in rebuilding.”
Schools are set to be the first places to reopen on 8 March with non-essential shops remaining closed for some time after that.
The i reported that Boris Johnson hopes to follow a three-stage plan for easing lockdown. Ministers will not lift further restrictions before assessing the impact of pupils returning to the classroom on the reproduction number, or R number, the newspaper reported.
That could potentially allow pubs and bars to reopen on the Easter weekend although the date will be dependent on infection rates.
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