Leamington bar owner speaks out against Government decision to keep his and other businesses closed under Tier 3 Coronavirus restrictions when lockdown ends next week

Gareth Dore, who owns Cellar Club in the Parade, is among the many bar, restaurant and cafe owners up and down the country who will have to keep their businesses closed past Wednesday next week when the lockdown will end and people are being asked to abide by Covid-19 restrictions dependent on what tier their area comes under.

And it was announced yesterday (Thursday November 26) that Warwickshire will be placed under the tightest of restrictions in Tier 3.For business owners like Gareth, who launched Cellar Club at the premises previously occupied by Wildes this means they will have to remain closed until further notice, which could be until mid to late December at the earliest.

It is a heavy blow for those in the industry in Warwickshire to take considering how long they have not been able to trade in their full capacity since the first lockdown began in March.

Gareth said: "Office for National Statistics figures show that we are by far one of the safest industries and always have been, even with far stricter restrictions, such as scanning track and trace every time you enter a venue.

"Do you do that in a supermarket? No.

"Even so, the industry as a whole account for between one and two per cent of cases - that’s nothing. So why the heavier restrictions?

"The curfew of 10pm pushed people on to the streets and into unsafe house parties, spreading the virus and taking up the police’s valuable time.

"Now they’ve moved to 10pm last orders and 11pm kick out will do nothing apart from cost businesses an extra hours wages for everyone with no more income.

"Leamington being in Tier 3 makes no sense when we are below average for cases and certainly for deaths.

"I’m glad they’ve opened up our friends in retail, gyms, hairdressers, etc, but what’s the difference between going to the gym or shopping compared to sitting in a covid safe bar and getting food and drink?

"There is no joined-up thinking, it’s a scattergun approach with no effect except ruined livelihoods, poverty, bankruptcy, depression and illness.

"We, as an industry, can’t take it anymore. W

"e want to bring joy to people’s lives, especially in these tough times, and we can’t do it. Our industry is a lifeline to many people and the government’s awful action is taking that away from people.

"It’s time to stop and act responsibly to all, protect the vulnerable from the virus and the rest of us can safely continue and help pay for protecting the people the statistics show could very sadly be hit badly by this terrible coronavirus."