Leeds local lockdown: Charity boss says restaurant trade has been 'decimated'

Tim Parkinson said customers at The Granary restaurant at Crag House Farm in Cookridge “disappeared overnight” after the Government put Leeds into a local lockdown leaving the rules covering restaurants in a "grey area", he said.

The restrictions, which came into force across the city at midnight on Friday September 25, made it illegal for two households to mix in private houses and gardens but merely “advise” households not to mix in restaurants. Yet the rule of six still applies nationally.

The Granary restaurant is run as a social enterprise along with an on-site farm and garden centre, to support the charity Caring for Life, which helps people with mental health problems and learning difficulties.

Tim, its executive director, said since the latest guidance is taking the restaurant to the brink.

“Trade has been down hugely obviously since full lockdown but the effect of the recent one has just decimated it.

“I totally get it - we have to support the measures along with everyone else; we want to get over this.”

But he said “inconsistencies” with the guidance were having a major effect on the business.

Tim said to support the new lockdown measures, his team can only allow just one household per table - with many cancelleing their bookings as a result.

“We are saying we want to support the rules and do what’s right. I want people to feel safe [here], that’s what we really want. But we are really conflicted because it’s not law - it’s just recommendation.

"We don’t want confrontation. I don’t know what people’s personal situations are and I don’t want to challenge anyone.

“I would prefer to see it become law because then it’s clear.

“I don’t know what our rights are in terms of turning people away."

He was speaking out in support of the Leeds City Council’s recent letter to the Government calling for a change in the guidance which it said was crippling local businesses.

Tim said the restaurant had only just reached break-even point after the initial lockdown when the additional restrictions were put on Leeds.

“The restaurant is the one that’s been affected the most throughout this and it was our biggest money maker. This isn’t profit but we have lost over £280k from the restaurant this year. That’s probably a third of our income.”

Tim said the next two to three weeks will be critical.

“To see what becomes law or whether the six households law changes.

“It’s a worrying time in terms of the business.

“If we go into lockdown again, I don’t think we will be in a position where we can keep it open. That will mean jobs and income - and we will have to rebuild in six or eight months, or a year’s time, if we are in a position where we can.”

The charity and social enterprise set-up collectively employs around 85 people and at peak time had 55 per cent of the workforce on furlough.

Tim said: “I think it’s incredibly unnerving for all the staff - on top of anxiety that they may have because of Covid itself.

“Job security in the restaurant is going to be knocked and in terms of management it’s an extra worrying time because we have responsibilities. We love our staff dearly, we really do.

“And we see the impact on the financial support of the charity - that’s why people are here, that’s why they work here.

“So there’s genuine anxiety.”

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Laura Collins