'Devastating' impact on hospitality as Fife set to move into Tier 3 restrictions

The hospitality trade will take a major hit again as businesses will be prohibited from selling alcohol, and have to close at 6:00pm with last entry at 5:00pm.

The new rules come into force from Friday.

Business owners have reacted with dismay to the new restrictions, with some holding immediate meetings before deciding whether to stay open selling soft drinks only - or simply close.

One of the biggest operators, Kingdom Taverns, said the new rules would have a huge impact on landlords.

The company, which has a portfolio of over 30 pubs - many of them across Fife - said the decision was “very disappointing.”

Dean Melville, director, said: “It’s really devastating. Part of their livelihood is being slowly wiped out and driven underground.

“Every time we open and then close it costs money. That’s the bottom line.”

Mr Melville said the hospitality sector was also deeply frustrated in its efforts to get the evidence that clamping down on the ability to buy an alcoholic drink was helping the fight to suppress the pandemic.

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He said: “The health of people and suppression of the virus is the most important thing, but what the licensed trade body cannot understand, and has been asking about for several weeks, is what is the difference between having a beer with a meal or having a soft drink?

“We have asked for the scientific evidence and none has been produced. That is very unfair.

“It is so confusing for the public and really challenging to business.”

He also fears people will gather in private houses to share a drink - without any social distancing.

Mr Melville said: “The only place Scots can now get an alcoholic drink is in their own home.

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“That was exactly what the Scottish Government wanted to get away from with minimum pricing in shops to force people to drink responsibly and go to licenced premises run by responsible licensees.

“Supermarket sales of alcohol have sky rocketed since this started. People have drinking behind closed doors and we know how dangerous that can be.”

One of Kirkcaldy’s best known pubs, Betty Nicols, confirmed it will close while Tier 3 restrictions are in force.

On its Facebook page, it posted: “The Scottish Government has just announced from this Friday, Fife will be moving up from level 2, to level 3 of Covid restrictions.

"This means we will be unable to sell alcohol indoors. Given this, we will be closed after Friday until level 3 restrictions are lifted and Fife goes back down to level 2. “

The bar will continue to trade under Tier 2 regulations until the new level comes into force.

There was reaction too from the Cafe Continental, based in nearby Hill Street.

Áine Kelly, general manager, said: "The announcement unfortunately didn’t come as a surprise this afternoon, Our thoughts and prayers are with all the individuals and family’s suffering with this deadly disease.

"We are focusing on the positives. We can still serve our wonderful menu and our delivery service or takeaway and collection will be available.

"We will open Wednesday to Sunday serving inside from 12-6:00pm and delivering from 4:00-10:00pm."

The move into Tier 3 will also see bingo halls close again.

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