A PUBLICAN who runs two Wilmslow establishments fears new coronavirus restrictions could damage the industry.

From tomorrow, September 24, a 10pm curfew is in place on bars, pubs and restaurants across England.

There will be no standing at the bar either, as hospitality businesses can only operate with table service under the new rules designed to tackle the recent rise in Covid-19 cases.

Paul Johnson leases both the Carters Arms, in Chapel Lane, and the Horse and Jockey, in Gravel Lane.

“It’s not a surprise that this has come along because it has been mooted and included in local lockdowns,” he said.

“The curfew is a bit of a kick in the teeth, but the main thing we are struggling with is the full table service because of the labour costs.”

While only the Carters Arms will be affected by the curfew, as the Horse and Jockey does not open late, both pubs will have to follow the new rules on table service.

As tenanted pubs, Paul says that the earnings from both are usually eight per cent.

But if labour costs double as a result of the move to table service, he fears his pubs will end up making a loss.

“We are a small pub, we don’t have the infrastructure to do run orders electronically, it’s all on bits of paper.

“It has already been touch and go – we have had a decent run with the nice weather – but extra labour costs will be so difficult for us.

Knutsford Guardian:

“Even if we were to shut the doors, we would still have to pay the rent.

“Up until this the Government help – the grants and furlough – has been fab, but I don’t think this has been quite so well thought out.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs to expect the new coronavirus measures to last for six months as he announced them in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

He said: “We always knew that while we might have driven the virus into retreat, the prospect of a second wave was real and I’m sorry to say that, as in Spain and France and many other countries, we’ve reached a perilous turning point.

“We will ensure businesses can stay open in a Covid-compliant way, however we must take action to suppress the disease.

“I thoroughly want to avoid taking this step, as do the devolved administrations, but we will only be able to avoid it if our new measures work and our behaviour changes.

“We will spare no effort in developing vaccines, treatments and new forms of mass testing, but unless we palpably make progress we should assume that the restrictions I have announced will remain in place for perhaps six months.”