Fife in Tier 3: 'Grim outlook' as hospitality trade fears over Christmas trade
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The restrictions don’t come into effect until Friday, but already businesses are worrying over the impact on Christmas bookings – its busiest time of the year.
The secretary of Fife Licensed Trade Association said the situation is looking ‘pretty grim’ for many members who have been going out of their way to comply with restrictions.
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Hide AdColin Boyle said: “Pubs which don’t so food won’t be able to open. It won’t be viable for them to just sell soft drinks.
"Some of our members have been busy creating outdoor areas in order to comply with restrictions and that was working well, so these new restrictions will hit hard.
"The compensation being offered to those who can’t now open is not enough, particularly for those who are self-employed because they will still have costs to meet.
"A lot of pubs have had to stay closed throughout this year. It seems a pretty blunt instrument to use every time cases go up to shut down pubs and stop alcohol sales.
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Hide Ad"Many of our members have gone out of their way to comply with the restrictions so this will come as a blow to them and it will create a lot of long-term damage to the licensed trade in Fife.”
He said the association has been trying to help by lobbying for better grants and funding.
He added: “Many places will have had Christmas bookings since last year that may not now go ahead and many of our members rely on the Christmas trade. It is looking pretty grim.”