SOME BEMUSED hospitality traders in Penarth are shutting up shop for the Christmas period, while pub and bar traders remaining open are expecting the toughest festive period on record.
The news comes after new coronavirus restrictions were announced on Monday.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes will be banned from selling alcohol from Friday and will be unable to open to customers beyond 6pm.
Announcing the news first minister Mark Drakeford said the new restrictions will help tackle a rise in coronavirus cases.
But publicans reacted in unison to the news to condemn the latest rule changes, saying many pubs and bars will be left with almost nothing when the financial year comes to an end in the spring, and loans have to be repaid coinciding with the end of the furlough scheme.
David Cole, part owner of Gin 64 at Victoria Road, said he was expecting restrictions but says he was stunned at the severity of the new rules.
“I was anticipating they would allow us to open until 6pm and serve alcohol, which would have hurt us but at least it would have been something – but these restrictions mean we can’t operate at all after Friday until they’re lifted,” said Mr Cole.
“We would be lucky to get one customer a day.”
Mr Drakeford said firms hit by the restrictions would be offered £340m in support which he claimed was "the most generous package" anywhere in the UK.
Mr Cole added: “I’m very concerned we will lose significant revenue – it’s undoubtedly the busiest time of the year for us.
“I understand there needs to be restrictions, but in the lead up to Christmas are we really expecting these changes will make people stop socialising?
“I think it will increase the numbers of illegal gatherings, and there’ll be no one around to remind people to socially distance. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a spike in cases as a result of this decision.”
All pub and bar owners that spoke to the Penarth Times said they are concerned about what happens after the next review on December 17, with the majority saying they do not believe pubs will be able to serve alcohol until January.
Health minister Vaughan Gething said he understood why companies in the industry are upset, but admitted there is "no perfect balance" between protecting public health and businesses.
But Brains CEO Alistair Darby told the Penarth Times he feels the government has got the balance wrong.
Brains pubs including the Windsor and the Star Inn in Dinas Powys will close on Friday.
“850,000 people have come through our doors since the start of the pandemic – seven staff members have tested positive in that time and test and trace have contacted us five times,” said Mr Darby.
“I won’t question the science behind the government decision, but it seems to me we’ve shown what we’ve done has worked.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to make sure people are as safe as possible in our pubs, and people have been safe. Our findings show that.
“The scarring effect this will have on the economy will be brutal and long drawn out. We have already been operating at a 40 per cent deficit compared to 2019.
“We’re a business that is well run, looks after its workers, pays its taxes and contributes a lot to the economy to support the NHS.
“I’m aware there has to be a balance. But it’s imperative we don’t crush our economy in the process. I think this time that balance has not been achieved.”
John Bassett, who owns The Golden Lion on Glebe Street which will also be closed, said: “Are they going to say we can open for Christmas after this? I’d be surprised.
“I’m resigned to an awful period financially – my only focus now is to try and keep all 60 of my staff. I haven’t laid any of my staff off yet, and don’t intend to, but this is really becoming testing for us now.
“Yet again we received hardly any notice before this comes into effect. I would question how the whole industry has been treated throughout this period.
“Mark Drakeford says he talks to stakeholders – yet I know nobody who has ever had a conversation with a representative of the Welsh Government on this issue.”
Natasha Rees, new landlady at St Fagans on Windsor Road, has worked tirelessly since she took the pub over in the autumn to make it a family friendly place. She says she is most concerned about the impact on her customers.
“I’m going to do everything I can until Friday to make sure we wave them off for Christmas in a way that keeps their spirits up,” she said.
“I have no choice but to close, and I think we’ll be closed until January. It’s horrible, we’re right in the heart of the town and I feel we’ve made great strides to bring a community feel back here. It’s a big blow for me but I feel mostly for them (customers).
“Most of them come to have a chat, not to drink, but the reality is we won’t be able to sell enough soft drinks to warrant staying open.”
The Railway Hotel also confirmed it will be closing until further notice.
The Welsh Government were contacted for further comment but failed to respond.
- The Christmas edition of Gin 64's Penarth Gin is a small batch edition they have produced for the festive season. Get yours at gin64penarth.co.uk.
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