Leeds pubs, bars and restaurants closed since November react to third national lockdown

Pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality in Leeds have not been able to open since before the second national lockdown started in November.

Now, the third national lockdown rules will see them closed for even longer, leaving hospitality venues in the city closed for a total of nearly four months at least.

The lockdown rules are that hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must be closed, with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through. All food and drink (including alcohol) can continue to be provided by delivery.

Jonathan Simons is the owner of Distrikt Bar on Duncan Street in Leeds.

The owner of 11 years said: "We haven't been able to open for about eight or nine weeks as it stands and it seems like there is no end game being offered.

"It was never going to be an incredibly profitable January or February but whatever we can do towards some kind of resolution is beneficial although as a bar there is very little we can do.

"We've teamed up with Falafel Guys and have given them our premises to use exclusively as a takeaway for their new burger concept but it's disheartening for us as we did have a small food offering combined with the bar when we were open.

"They will work really well with the environment but it's just a complete parallel to what we are used to.

"At the moment it's not about making money for us because we can't but it's about keeping our brand alive, keeping our staff satisfied and providing them with some level of employment to allow them to get by.

"The new grants being offered are incredibly needed without a doubt but it feels like the government is doing its minimal best under the circumstances.

"There's no real option of survival unless we are backed properly with a level of support."

--> The national lockdown might be in place until March - what we know so far

Heaney and Mill on Otley Road in Headingley will no longer be able to serve alcohol as a takeaway which was a large part of it's festive trade.

Marketing manager of the restaurant and bar, James Quinn said: "We never anticipated that we would be back open in January so we have been looking at ways to adapt.

"We are doing weekly home deliveries of our Sunday roasts and three course dining menu and we will keep our barbecue going outside for takeaway as well as serving breakfast outside.

"We are expecting that a lot of our trade will go to delivery though as the "stay at home" order means people will probably be ordering from their sofas.

"We often get a big lunchtime and evening rush but we will just have to adapt, keep moving and try to stay open."

Martin Greenhow is the managing director of Mojo bar on Merrion Street in Leeds.

He said: "Truthfully not being able to open wasn't a surprise and it was what I and a lot of my peers in the industry had anticipated.

"It does make you raise an eyebrow though that we are repeating ourselves and not making any significant improvements.

"With regards to the grants on offer, any support is welcome but it simply doesn't match the level of outgoings that we are still experiencing.

"It's like the Government has delved into its first aid kit and pulled out a plaster for a broken leg."

There are five Mojo bars across the country in total, including ones in Harrogate, Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham.

Martin had also hoped to open three more bars in other cities this year but plans have been put on hold due to the pandemic.

He added: "A lot of people are also struggling emotionally at the moment with trying to keep their spirits up, and not just in the hospitality industry.

"The future is just way too uncertain but I'm hoping there might be a system where we can put our assets and locations to use and effectively be drafted to help with vaccination centres."

--> Non-essential shops must also close as part of the lockdown.