Leeds bars call for government not to close pubs in new local lockdown tier restrictions

Martin Greenhow, 52, is the managing director of the MOJO chain - which has popular bars in Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Harrogate.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Martin said any further closures announced by government would be "catastrophic" for the hospitality sector.

He said the 10pm curfew decimated the revenue of his business, with takings dropping from 80-85 per cent post-lockdown to around 20 per cent during the curfew - not enough to even cover staffing costs long term.

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Martin described the curfew as a "hammer blow" and said they lost six hours of custom every night - with the bar regularly opening until 4am before the pandemic.

Martin said: "We need more financial support from the government.

"The curfew was a hammer blow.

"We went from 80-85% of our usual revenue after lockdown to 20% following the curfew.

"[For the government] to tell the country to pack off to bed at 10pm is farcical.

"A lot of people talk about pubs losing an hour of revenue but we used to stay open until 4 or 5am before the pandemic.

"That means we have lost six hours of revenue a night.

"People going into Leeds often don't start their night until 10pm.

"It has been devastating."

Martin said he feared for the future of Leeds city centre - with both hospitality and retail being hit hardest by the pandemic.

He added: "It could become a bare husk of a city, resembling the old mining villages.

"Take out the hospitality and retail, what are you left with?

"Many residents who live near the centre depend on these sectors too.

"Can the government be sure that hospitality is to blame for the spikes?

"Surely we should be supporting businesses at this time, rather than waiting and supporting a rebuild.

"It feels like we are being beaten with sledgehammers."

Bruce Lerman is the co-owner of Hedonist on Briggate, Leeds.

Bruce told the Yorkshire Evening Post that closing pubs would affect people's livelihoods for years.

He added there were "no facts to support the measures imposed" by the government.

Bruce called for a full lockdown with financial support or to cancel the curfew and return staff back to work.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bruce said: "This isn’t about pointing fingers this is about doing what’s best, and this isn’t best.

"It’s not best for the industry, it’s not best for the economy, and it’s not best for the city’s health because it does not make sense to close hospitality and keep retail open.

"It does not make sense to close hospitality but let students back into Universities and colleges, it does not make sense to close hospitality and keep gyms open.

"Why target only 4% of positive cases?

"We either need a full lockdown with full financial support – not the Job Retention Scheme which never added up – or we need to cancel the curfew and get people back to work.

"The curfew has been catastrophic for Leeds’ hospitality and a closure will finish many businesses.

"The knock-on effect on people’s livelihoods – many with young families - will affect the city for years to come."

North Bar is one of the most popular venues at the heart of Leeds city centre.

-> Leeds news Live: Follow all the updates as we get themA spokesperson for the bar said they had no indication of what support would be available to support the hospitality industry.

They also worry for the future of Leeds city centre and the impact any potential closures would have on businesses.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, North Bar said: “Again we are finding out information that will have a devastating impact on our business from the morning papers.

"We have had no indication of what, if any, support will be available to support the hospitality industry through this closure.

"We are worried for the future of Leeds City Centre which has seen so many brilliant independent restaurants, bars, shops, creative projects and music venues spring up over the past decade.

"The independent scene in Leeds has a direct impact on visitors to the city, and its appeal as an alternative base to London for young professionals."

During the first lockdown, North Bar Brewing Company converted bars into pop up bottle shops selling mini kegs, wine, snacks and merchandise to help with revenue.

They vowed to return to this style of business in order to survive.

The statement continued: "During the first lockdown we successfully converted our bars into pop up bottle shops selling mini kegs, wine, snacks, cans and merchandise.

"We will be doing something similar, and hoping that the people of Leeds choose to support their indies in the run up to a very strange Christmas period.

"It has never been more important to shop indie and shop local.”