Leeds night time businesses 'won't survive winter' with new restrictions
The new rules for nightclubs and large events comes in today (Wednesday 15 December)
Club and bar owners in Leeds fear that the new coronavirus restrictions coming into force today, could be catastrophic for the industry.
From today (15 December 2021) people need to prove they are double vaccinated or show proof of a negative coronavirus test to enter a nightclub.
The government says it's to try and control the Omicron variant.
Martin Greenhow, managing director at Mojo Bar in Harrogate, said:
"I think many in our industry would say businesses falls off a cliff in January. In December it almost feels like two months because we double our turnover. So, imposing these restrictions on our industries at this time of year takes away our last lottery ticket of survival for many.
"It's staggeringly badly timed and the motives behind it I think are questionable. But I really would call upon everybody in hospitality to stand with the nightclub sector. Any MP who votes for these restrictions is not welcome in our venues and every bar, pub, restaurant in the country should do the same."
Scientists fear the number of cases in the UK could double each day and could lead to an increase in hospital admissions.
But workers in the industry have warned the new rules are "unethical" and could drive business away.
Mr Greenhow, added:
"How is that going to work in a nightclub? You've got 1500 people in there and the police come in, turn the lights on and ask people to form an orderly queue? That to me isn't going to end well. You'll have people dashing out of the fire escapes.
"I think a lot of the operators have said they're not going to implement it because it's putting staff in jeopardy. We lost a lot of staff during the last round of restrictions because if they wanted to be marshals or police officers that's what they would've done."
People in England will need to use the NHS Covid Pass to gain entry to nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4000 people and any venue with more than 10,000 people.
People who are not fully vaccinated will be able to show proof of a recent negative lateral flow test instead.