Brighton pub says closing again would be "detrimental"

Phoebe Hands, 25, expressed her concern at the prospect of pubs and restaurants' closing again if Brighton entered the "very high" tier level.

New measures introduced by the government mean regions in England will be rated as level one “medium” risk, level two “high” risk or level three “very high” risk, depending on their infection rates.

Tier three, “very high” risk, will see all mixing of households, indoors or outdoors, banned.

Pubs, bars, gyms, leisure centres and more will also be ordered to close.

Pheobe, who is the general manager of North Lane Brewhouse in Gloucester Place, said a second closure would have a detrimental effect on the industry.

The pub holds a number of experience days.

She said: "It feels like every time we start to make a bit of money something happens. We are were starting to get back to our bust Friday Saturdays and they brought in the curfew.

"We were making most of our revenue between 10 pm and 2am on Friday and Saturdays. That was detrimental to us. A second lockdown for the managing partner here would be extremely detrimental."

Jack Godden, 29, who manages the Bakesketmakers pub in Gloucester Road, Brighton, said another lockdown seemed inevitable.

“It is hard enough as it is,” he said. “The new furlough scheme coming on is even less than what it was during lockdown.

“It is getting harder and harder and I don’t want to see pubs shut.

“But as I understand it, it seems like business as usual for now.”

Pubs and restaurants had to wait four months until they were allowed to reopen but with strict social distancing rules in place.

Pubs are now legally required to take customers’ contact details so they can be traced if there is an outbreak.

The new tier system comes just months after the Prime Minister announced a 10 pm curfew from all bars and restaurants across the country.

The new rules mean they can be fined up to £10,000 if they take reservations of more than six, do not enforce social distancing, or do not take customers' contact details.

Further measures mean bar and waiting staff have to wear masks as well as customers when they are not seated at a table to eat or drink.

Last month, the owner of The Brighton Tavern in Gloucester road said the curfew was “a slap in the face”.

Tony Ford said: “It scares me that the pub might be getting closed down again.

“The message from the government is very confusing, hence our delay in opening - we weren’t sure what was best for our staff or our customers.

“We were one of the last ones to open in the area and now we are faced with this already."