More than 31,000 hospitality businesses to remain closed in England under the tier system
Some 16,000 pubs, 9,000 restaurants, 400 wine bars, nearly 6,000 cafes and 4,500 hotels and guesthouses across the country will stay closed because they are located in areas of the country that have been put into tier 3, the highest level of restrictions, according to real estate adviser Altus Group.
Businesses are however allowed to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery but accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close.
Locations in tier 3 include the Lancashire, The Midlands, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, Manchester and Bristol.
Figures from Altus also show a further 21,451 pubs and bars have to remain closed under new strengthened tier measures for ‘high alert’ areas unless they can operate as restaurants only serving alcohol with substantial meals.
Under tier 2, pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals.
In total, 98% of all pubs in England fall within the new tier 2 or 3 areas.
“Since the beginning of 2018, 1,722 pubs have vanished from the communities that they once served having either being demolished or converted into other types such as homes and offices,” says Robert Hayton, head of property tax at Altus Group
“Current levels of support will have to be enhanced for those viable businesses facing a further period of closure during this crucial trading period to ensure that they will eventually reopen and aid the recovery.”
