In Bristol, the last full working Friday before Christmas didn’t feel like it.
A day informally reserved for sneaky shopping, long-lunches and perhaps a stagger home still wearing a party hat looked more like a Sunday.
Restaurants and bars that have been banking on December trade found themselves wondering where the next customer was coming from, and frustrated at the government messaging that got them here.
Public health warnings have caused consumer confidence to evaporate, leaving businesses free to open but with no customers, and no support either because there are no formal restrictions.
It is the worst of both worlds, “lockdown by stealth” according to a furious hospitality industry and MPs on all sides.
At MacKenzie’s Bar & Grill on Bristol’s usually teeming harbourfront there was almost no lunchtime trade, evening bookings were being cancelled, and some staff were calling in to cancel shifts because of COVID contacts.
General manager Andrew Gellender said the industry has been let down.
“Throughout the previous lockdowns and the other waves there was continual guidance, everybody was singing from the same hymn sheet. You had COVID restrictions or guidelines to follow.
“You knew where you stood with furlough, or if you were unable to open for business. This time they have kind of hung us all out to dry, it’s like we’re on our own with no guidance at the moment.”
His frustration is shared by the wider industry, which is calling for the Treasury to step in with fresh financial support for the sector.
Their call has been echoed by the Labour Party and in Scotland by Nicola Sturgeon, who says only the UK government has the borrowing power to provide the level of support required.
A Christmas market looking empty in Bristol
In keeping with a…
Source : skynews
