Trade Associations

UKHospitality calls on government to end 10pm curfew

UKHospitality has called on the government to ‘‘rethink’’ the 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants, which was brought into effect in September to curb the growing rate of Covid-19.

A vote on the measure, which was expected to take place today (7 October), has been delayed and will possibly happen next week.

While giving evidence to the House of Commons’ Treasury Committee, UKHospitality’s chief executive Kate Nicholls have evidence of the detrimental impact the measure is having on the industry.

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Nicholls said: ‘‘The introduction of the curfew has had a severe and devastating impact. Businesses are feeling the cumulative impact of all the restrictions placed on them, but they have really suffered since the introduction of the curfew. 

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‘‘The curfew has wiped away revenue from businesses that were only just clinging on. For many, it has tipped them into financial unviability. We have no staggered ending like we have seen in Ireland and Wales. Other European countries have a later curfew point, with last orders at 11 and closure at 12, which eases the pressure.’’

She added: ‘‘The regulatory impact on businesses needs to be considered, particularly when so a low number of outbreaks are linked to hospitality. 

‘‘We urge the Government to rethink the curfew so that it can deliver the public health objective without damaging businesses and risking further job losses. We also need an immediate and comprehensive package of support to keep businesses alive and prevent redundancies on a large scale.’’

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