Bristol independents get behind nationwide #CancelTheCurfew campaign

Bristol independents get behind nationwide #CancelTheCurfew campaign

Posted on: 05 Oct 2020

Business owners across the city are pushing for the removal of the government's ten o'clock curfew.

 

Pubs, bars, venues and hospitality businesses across Bristol took to social media this weekend to show their support for the #CancelTheCurfew campaign, shining a light on the huge impact the policy is having on the hospitality industry.

 

As part of a new set of guidelines for pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality businesses that were introduced in late September, a 22:00 curfew was enforced 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.

 

Led by the Bristol Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independent Establishments (BARBIE) and organisations across the country, the campaign is pushing for the government to revoke the curfew amid major drops in revenue for independent operators.

 

 

On Saturday, business owners and staff were encouraged to stand - socially distanced - outside their venues following closure and share photos, accompanied by shots of empty seats and tables highlighting the drastic drop in trade.

 

A number of Bristol independents got involved, including some of the city's favourite pubs and bars to popular restaurants, clubs and music venues. 

 

Bar teams all over Bristol showed their support for the #CancelTheCurfew campaign, from the Beer Emporium and Zed Alley in BS1 to Flipside on Whiteladies Road and much-loved Gloucester Road spot Blue Lagoon.

Staff inside The Beer Emporium.

Staff inside Zed Alley.

Staff outside Flipside.

Staff outside Blue Lagoon.

Some of the city's favourite pubs got involved too, with the Duke of York, The Sugar Loaf, Steam and The Chelsea Inn sharing the photos across their social media channels.

Staff inside The Duke of York.

The Sugar Loaf show their support for the campaign.

Staff outside Steam in Clifton.

The Chelsea Inn show their support.

With many still closed amid the ongoing pandemic, and those that have been able to reopen seriously affected by the 22:00 curfew, Bristol clubs and music venues have voiced their support for #CancelTheCurfew.

 

Over the weekend, much-loved venues Basement 45, The Bristol Fringe, Lakota and Motion shared campaign material and shots of their empty bars and dancefloors.

Basement 45.

Empty seating inside The Bristol Fringe.

Empty dancefloors at Lakota and Motion.

Restaurants across the city have also seen drastic drops in trade as a result of the curfew - Asado, La Grotta and Don Giovanni's gathered staff in protest against the policy.

Staff inside Asado.

Staff outside La Grotta.

Staff outside Don Giovanni's.

Co-ordinating with organisations and business owners in major cities across the country, BARBIE are pushing for the government to reconsider the curfew on the basis of its ineffectiveness 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.


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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.