Pub sector seeking judicial review of new lockdowns

The hospitality sector is considering legal action against proposed new Covid-19 lockdown rules, which could see pubs, bars and other nighttime venues close once again.

According to the Night Time Industries Association trade body, the sector had been left with “no other option” as it asserted there was no evidence that venues had contributed to the spread of the coronavirus.

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce a new ‘three-tier’ lockdown system for England, with Liverpool expected to be under the tightest restrictions, which is likely to see pubs, bars, gyms and other leisure venues close their doors.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said affected employees would receive two-thirds of their wages in a form of local furlough scheme, but there are fears businesses could still close as their trade is halted.

“These new measures will have a catastrophic impact on late night businesses, and are exacerbated further by an insufficient financial support package presented by the chancellor in an attempt to sustain businesses through this period,” said association boss Michael Kill.

“This next round of restrictions are hugely disproportionate and unjust, with no scientific rationale or correlation to Public Health England transmission rates, when compared to other key environments.”

The Night Time Industries Association’s call for a judicial review has been backed by the British Beer and Pub Association, and privately-held brewers and pub operators Joseph Holt and JW Lees.

Westminster is already facing legal challenges to its recent Covid-19 restrictions, with the 10pm curfew on English pubs in the firing line.