Bristol nightclub owner "bitterly disappointed" as Freedom Day moved
He says the impact on the industry has already been catastrophic
The owner of La Rocca nightclub on the Clifton Triangle says everyone at the venue is "bitterly disappointed" that so called Freedom Day, is being moved.
Last night (14/06) Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the final easing of coronavirus restrictions will be delayed from June 21 to July 19.
It comes with infection rates on the rise across the country and the Delta variant originally discovered in India, now the dominant strain.
The latest data for Bristol shows the number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the last seven days was 464.
That's an increase of more than double on the week before.
In Bath the increase has been even more stark, with the number of positive cases increasing from 37 to 134 at a rate of 262 percent.
In a statement sent to us Andy who owns La Rocca, said he understands that the safety of the public is paramount.
"The impact on the night club industry has been catastrophic but if this short extra delay means we will be able to open properly at full capacity and more importantly profitably we will just have to grin and bear it," he said.
"It has become increasingly obvious that the impact on mental health has become an issue and the need for more normal socialisation is paramount so we do hope that there will be no further delays so that we can once again welcome people back and bring back a little bit of normality which will allow people to relax and enjoy themselves."
Some restrictions will be lifted on June 21, including the limit on wedding guest numbers.
Venues will still have to follow social distancing guidance though, meaning dancing will not be allowed inside.
Meanwhile the government has said it will not extend the furlough scheme again, arguing local authorities have £1 billion of unspent money to help businesses.
As things stand it is due to finish at the end of September but employers will have to help cover the cost from July.
“The hospitality sector has already lost more than £87bn in sales in the pandemic leaving businesses deeply in debt and at risk of suffering “economic long Covid” without further support," UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said.
"Our businesses face incredible levels of debt and will now face a huge cost hike, with business rates payments set to recommence and rent accruals due at the end of the month.
"An swift indication that the business rates holiday will be extended would go a long way to bringing succour to a battered sector - paying any amount of tax while still unable to trade viably would save businesses and, in turn, tax receipts in longer term."
It is hoped that by July 19 three quarters of the UK's adult population will have been offered both doses of a coronavirus vaccine, thereby reducing the risk of relaxing restrictions.