Leeds Council joins bars across city to urge government to scrap "devastating" 10pm curfew
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The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, warns that "thousands of jobs" are at risk due to the restrictions.
It also raises serious concerns about the survival of local businesses and the "severe" impact on the local economy.
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Hide AdBoris Johnson announced that all bars and restaurants had to close by 10 o’clock from Thursday, September 24 in a bid to tackle rising coronavirus levels.
However, hospitality businesses reported huge financial losses after being forced to operate at just 20-30 per cent of their pre-COVID revenues.
Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council (LCC) said: “We have been working closely with local businesses in our hospitality sector throughout the pandemic, supporting them however we can to continue to operate viable businesses.
"The tenacity and innovation they have shown during these incredibly difficult months has been inspiring.
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Hide Ad“Hospitality is a cornerstone of our city’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs but it’s no secret that in spite of all our efforts, the sector has sadly been one of those hit hardest by efforts to contain the spread of the virus in our communities.
“The current curfew is making this fight for survival an even harder one to win and in some cases it is sadly proving impossible, with many businesses and jobs across our city now in serious jeopardy.
“Along with our partners in the sector, it is our view that the current economic measures are in need of urgent review to give these struggling businesses a chance to survive, for jobs to be saved, and for an essential part of the city’s identity to be preserved.
"Hospitality will play a key role on the road to recovery and we hope the government acknowledges its importance to the future of our economy and public finances by changing these restrictions.”
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Hide AdThe letter has been signed by Counc Blake, Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of LCC, 31 bars and restaurants across Leeds as well as key hospitality figures.
This is the letter in full:
Dear Prime Minister
"We write to you today as a collective of leaders from the public sector and hospitality businesses representing the city of Leeds.
"Together, we implore you and your colleagues in central government to urgently review the current Covid-19 restrictions in place, which are wreaking a devastating and, we fear, irrevocable toll on our city and its economy.
"We understand that as the Government works to lead us all through the pandemic, addressing the sometimes seemingly-conflicting health and economic needs of cities across the country is a difficult and demanding balancing act that requires dynamic and decisive decision-making, and at speed.
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Hide Ad"For our part, as a group representing the people and businesses of the city of Leeds, we are committed to working with central Government in the fight to keep Covid-19 under control, and to reduce the rate of infection of the disease, and do the absolute best for our city and country. We will do everything we can to support you in this effort.
"We also understand that given the fast-changing and dynamic nature of the crisis, measures put in place in the best interests of the public require constant review and revision, and we are writing to you to urge a review of the current policies in place.
"In particular, you will be aware that the 10pm curfew is having a devastating impact on Leeds’ hereto vibrant hospitality and night-time economy, and the current economic measures in place will not prevent significant damage to these industries, where viable businesses are now at risk of failure and thousands of jobs in our city will be lost, without Government intervention.
"Hospitality is a major driver of economic activity in our city, supporting thousands of jobs and many small, medium and large businesses.
"They are integral to our tourism offer.
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Hide Ad"Some of these businesses remain shut; many have reopened at great expense to deliver a safe and Covid-secure environment.
"They have necessarily opened at vastly reduced capacities in order to facilitate social distancing, significantly impacting their ability to trade profitably and meet their running costs.
"The imposition of a curfew, along with the direction to work from home, has made this fight to survive even harder and, in some cases, impossible.
"This is a second significant reduction in capacity that has further impacted establishments’ ability to operate viable businesses.
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Hide Ad"Restaurants can no longer realistically sit anyone after 8.30pm; many bars and pubs in the city are now operating at 20-30% of their pre-COVID revenues.
"In short, the 10pm curfew has removed key trading hours vital to the survival of hospitality businesses.
"The curfew has also created the unintended consequence at odds with its original design and intention; pinch points for public transport and large groups congregating elsewhere in a manner likely to increase Covid-related health risks.
"Covid-19 numbers did not rise when hospitality venues reopened on July 4, but have continued to increase since the 10pm curfew was introduced.
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Hide Ad"Further, the curfew together with other restrictions has undoubtedly had a wider impact on consumer confidence; hotel occupancy and forward bookings in the city have collapsed.
"Ultimately, our vibrant hospitality and night-time economy is in the grip of an existential crisis. We fear many businesses will fail and the spectre of long-term economic scarring looms over our city.
"Sadly, the current economic support available from the Government to these businesses will not save them nor the jobs attached to them. Businesses and thousands of viable jobs will be lost without Government intervention.
"We as the local leaders of the city and businesses representing the hospitality industry urge you to review and revise the curfew. Work with us to find a way to deliver the original objectives whilst significantly easing the imperilled state of many businesses and jobs that are important to our city.
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Hide Ad"For those businesses still massively impacted by the restrictions, no matter the impact of any revisions, please bring sector-specific support; sector-specific restrictions deserve sector-specific support.
"Do this so that these businesses can survive, jobs can be saved, and so that we can together work to protect an essential part of the city’s identity, ensuring hospitality can play its part in the rebuilding of our economy and the public finances."
Signed and supported by:
Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitality
Martin Wolstencroft, CEO, Arc inspirations
Wayne Topley, Leeds Hotels and Venues Association
Andrew Cooper, LeedsBID
Simon Fogal, Leeds Indie Food
Alchemist
Banyan
Bella Italia
Box
Brooklyn
Brotherhood
Brudenell Social
Bundobust
Call Lane Social
Cross Keys
DistriKt Bar
DHP
Dirty Martini
Further North
Fridays
Gusto Italian
Gaucho
Hedonist
House of Koko
Jakes Bar
Las Iguanas
Laynes Espresso
Manahatta
Mojo
Maven
North Bar
North Brewing
Oporto
Reds True BBQ
Reliance
Revolution
Sarto
Sheaf Street
Sukhothai
Tattu
The Backroom
Zaap
All the Leeds Pubwatch and Bacil members
Councillor Judith Blake, Leader Leeds City Council
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive, Leeds City Council
Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitality
Martin Wolstencroft, CEO, Arc inspirations
Wayne Topley, Leeds Hotels and Venues Association
Andrew Cooper, LeedsBID
Simon Fogal, Leeds Indie Food