Wakefield pubs looking at 'ways round' Tier 3 restrictions in bid to survive

Several pubs and restaurants are trying to "find ways round" new coronavirus restrictions to keep themselves afloat, it's been suggested.
Wet pubs are forced to remain closed.Wet pubs are forced to remain closed.
Wet pubs are forced to remain closed.

Tier 3 rules, which came into place in Wakefield today (Wednesday) as lockdown ends, means bars, pubs and diners will only be allowed to run as takeaway services.

The new guidelines have been criticised for hurting the hospitality sector at its busiest time of year, though the government insists they're necessary to keep Covid rates down.

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Before lockdown pubs were allowed to stay open as long as they served a "substantial meal".

Martin Hathaway from the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of CommerceMartin Hathaway from the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce
Martin Hathaway from the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

But the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, which covers Wakefield said more clarity was needed from the government on what firms can and can't do.

Speaking at a Covid recovery board meeting on Monday, chamber chief Martin Hathaway said: "Businesses in the hospitality sector, particularly restaurants and pubs, weren't expecting to go into Tier 3.

"They were hoping for an upgrade on where they were before. They thought they were going to be open.

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"Many are now doing what I've heard described as looking at ways to get round them, or looking at ways they won't get into too much trouble if they break them.

"That's not going to help anybody.

"Those messages (around the rules) need to be made clear as possible."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

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