CORONAVIRUS: Businesses face 'devastation' as Tier 3 restrictions loom for town - but MP says there is light at end of tunnel

That was the advice of Boston MP Matt Warman as news emerged last week that all of Lincolnshire would be subject to the toughest Covid-19 restrictions as the country emerges from two weeks of lockdown tomorrow.

For hospitality businesses in particular, the news that the county will be in Tier 3 is a body blow in the run up to Christmas, with the rules allowing them to open for takeaway only.

Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close ,and indoor entertainment and tourist venues will also shut.

The leader of the Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire said the organisation was “devastated” by the news.

The Mayor of Boston, Coun Anton Dani, who is directly involved in the hospitality business as owner of the Café de Paris on Bridge Street, urged local people to support businesses.

“The Hospitality Business for this year, 2020, would have been closed for just over five months, and let’s not forget that each time a business re-opens it needs to rebuild a new customer base, which does affect the takings at the start,” he said.

“It is a matter of survival especially if tier3 will be extended beyond Christmas. I do not see small local businesses coming back, small towns such as Boston will not survive unless the locals keep shopping local. It is time for Solidarity and Community Spirit.”

Alison Gott, of Goodbarns Barn, said in some ways being in Tier 3 was more definitive for businesses than going into Tier 2.

“Hospitality staff are grateful to be receiving furlough but would, undoubtedly, prefer to be working. Being closed still incurs utility costs etc but with no turnover,” she said.

“Tier 2, on the other hand, sheds more uncertainty in that customers can only visit hospitality venues in single households, so no friendship groups. This could have a huge detrimental impact on smaller businesses in so far as running costs would be normal but potential clientele very low amounting to little or no viability.

“From Goodbarns point of view, we have a solid and long standing business. We shall weather this storm whilst constantly hoping for a swift return to normality.”

Mr Warman said: “We will not be in Tier 3 forever, but the longer we take to bear down on the virus, the longer we will spend in the highest of tiers. These restrictions are not a boundary to push, they are rules that will keep people safe and stop our local NHS services from becoming overwhelmed.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel in the form of promising vaccine developments, but in the meantime we must pull together to make it through this winter period. We all have a personal and collective responsibility to our friends, family and neighbours.”

Councillor Hill said: “It’s very disappointing, as we are seeing infection rates fall, especially in those few districts that were previously causing concern – and this could have a crippling effect on our hospitality sector.”

He said more support will be needed for the county’s business in addition to furlough and other support.

“Many of our businesses will only partially open and need the Christmas economy to survive. As a minimum we will need additional discretionary business support grants. We’ll be looking to move out of Tier 3 as soon as possible.”

Katrina Pierce, the Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Lincolnshire, said: “We were expecting this, but hearing the stark news that the whole of Lincolnshire will face the highest restrictions – right in the run up to Christmas – is frankly devastating.

“The owners and staff of cafes, pubs, hotels, restaurants and cinemas have gone above and beyond to protect customers, spending huge sums to make their venues Covid-secure, only to face this news.”

She said it would be “heart-breaking” for them.

“We can only hope the review in two weeks’ time will see enough progress to allow for a move down the tier system.”

Councillor Paul Skinner, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I am deeply concerned for those who will be impacted especially for those businesses who face an extended period of being unable to open.

“We as a council will continue to work to support those affected. We have to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and we must all now play our part in following the restrictions; I ask you all, our residents and businesses to make yourselves familiar with the new rules that will be coming into effect.”