Tier 3 announcement is sink or swim moment for Greater Manchester’s pubs – CAMRA

Commenting on the expected decision to apply Tier 3 restrictions to Greater Manchester, CAMRA Chief Executive Tom Stainer said:

“If, as expected, further restrictions are placed on pubs in Greater Manchester, it will be devastating news that they join those in Merseyside and across Lancashire in being forced to close, while similar businesses like restaurants are allowed to stay open.

“This is despite the fact that publicans have done everything asked of them to make their venues COVID-secure. It feels like pubs are being made a scapegoat for the pandemic.

“Even if pubs serving food can stay open, the restrictions will see an even bigger reduction in footfall and trade, making businesses unviable. The Government urgently needs to increase the financial support available to all pubs to help them pay staff wages, meet fixed costs and to make up for lost business.

“We also need a long-term support package for the beer and pubs industry covering not just the period of the Tier 3 restrictions, but also the weeks and months that follow as pubs and breweries try to get back on their feet.

“This is a real sink or swim moment for local pubs and the breweries that serve them – without proper support, we risk hundreds of businesses across Greater Manchester, and other areas of the UK now under additional restrictions, not surviving beyond Christmas.”