Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
UPDATED: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said there will be a one-off payment in December of £1,000 to “wet” pubs in England – pubs which do not serve food – which are having to close in Tiers 2 and 3.
The Prime Minister made the pledge as part of his opening statement in today’s House of Commons debate on the incoming tier system, which is due to come into effect throughout England from tomorrow.
Mr Johnson said the one-off £1,000 payment recognised how hard pubs have been hit in what is normally “their busiest month”.
However, the Federation of Small Businesses dismissed the gesture, pointing out that £1,000 will cover the cost of a single keg of beer.
The government’s new tiered coronavirus system will slash income for pubs and restaurants, 98 per cent of which will either be in Tier 2 or Tier 3, in half meaning £7.8bn in lost incomes, according to trade body UKHospitality.
>See also: Non-essential retail and gyms to reopen next month under new tier rules
The new tiered system, which has been described as a death knell for thousands of pubs and restaurants, requires all premises in Tier 3 to offer only takeaway