BARBIE lead nationwide call to #CancelTheCurfew

BARBIE lead nationwide call to #CancelTheCurfew

Posted on: 28 Sep 2020

Hospitality groups across the country are pushing for the revocation of the government's 10pm curfew.

 

The Bristol Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independent Establishments (BARBIE) are leading a push for the government to revoke their new curfew on hospitality businesses, with independents suffering major drops in revenue as a result of the policy.

 

As part of a new set of guidelines for pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality businesses that were introduced on Thursday 24 September, a 10pm curfew was introduced in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.

 

But, with late trading hours often making up a vital portion of revenue for the hospitality sector, it's thought that the curfew could mean the end of the road for hundreds of independents that had only just started to pick up the pieces after lockdown.

 

 

The #CancelTheCurfew campaign, launched today (Monday 28 September), has already garnered support from action groups and business owners across the UK, highlighting the devastating impact curfew could have on the hospitality industry.

 

Footage of crowds congregating after pubs have closed in London, Manchester, Liverpool and other major cities have been viewed thousands of times on social media, prompting many to predict the curfew could be doing more harm than good.

 

In Bristol, a Facebook user captured footage of empty streets at 9.55pm on Saturday night, followed by groups of people gathered across the Harbourside after the 10pm closing time in a video that was shared more than 800 times.

 

 

Statistics published by the government show that infections traced back to bars, restaurants and food outlets currently account for around 3% of UK coronavirus cases, down from 5% in the week beginning Monday 14 September.

 

Upon today's launch of the #CancelTheCurfew campaign, BARBIE co-founder, Brendan Murphy, said venues have already spent "thousands of pounds" making themselves COVID-secure in line with government guidelines, and that further restrictions mean many more will not survive.

 

"It’s safer for people to be in venues than congregating in large crowds whether on the street, at house or illegal parties," he explained.

 

"Supermarkets are, of course, doing a roaring trade whilst the independent hospitality businesses continue to suffer. The government need to address this mistake and they need to do it quickly."

 

Andy Dodd, owner of Whiteladies Road bar Flipside Cocktail Club, added that "most venues take the bulk of their sales post-10pm, so the curfew is crippling for us and we aren’t even a late venue.

 

"It just seems that no thought has been put into this, and the thousands of people in Bristol leaving venues at the same time is only going to cause more of a problem."

 

 

Co-ordinating with organisations and business owners in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and other cities across the country, BARBIE are pushing for the government to reconsider the curfew on the basis of its effectiveness in limiting the spread of the virus.

 

In the coming days, the #CancelTheCurfew campaign will be penning an open letter to the Prime Minister, signed by city representatives and industry leaders up and down the UK.

 

A petition has been submitted to the Parliamentary Petitions website, but at the time of writing is waiting on approval until it can go public.

 

Until the petition goes live, you can show your support for the hospitality sector and get involved with the #CancelTheCurfew campaign by filling in your details here and sharing the hashtag across your social media channels.

#CancelTheCurfew

Main Image: Bristol City Centre BID

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.