Hospitality sector faces collapse says Manchester Liverpool and Leeds leaders

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham

Leaders in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds are warning that the regions are facing mass redundancies and "boarded up high streets" as the the hospitality sector faces collapse.

That's unless coronavirus restrictions are reviewed they've warned the government.

They've written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Business Secretary Alok Sharma warning that the restrictions in place were threatening a "huge, disproportionate" economic impact.

They said hotel occupancy was down to 30% and footfall had dropped by up to 70%.

In the letter, they said: "The stark reality is that these businesses are facing the prospect of a complete decimation in trade, not just in the short term but as we look ahead to the sector's traditional lifeblood of the Christmas period and almost certainly continuing into spring/summer of next year which we know with certainty will result in mass market failure, huge levels of redundancies and depleted and boarded up high streets."

They said coronavirus guidance in place in the cities that advises people not to mix with other households was "unenforceable" as well as being "contradictory and confusing".

They suggested that mixing within the "rule of six" could take place in controlled envrionments.

They also called for the government to review the 10pm curfew and discuss concerns with local authorities and businesses in advance.

They say there needs to be a balance between protecting public health and protecting businesses.

Speaking to Sky's Mark Austin, Mayor Andy Burnham said:

"The reason it was introduced was to stop the spread of the virus but what I would say back to the government is, if it's creating more social gatherings in the home, isn't it going to end up counter-productive? 

"Certainly the evidence I have from the weekend is that it forced people out of the pubs into supermarkets and shops and then it would seem onto gatherings in the home. 

"I'm not saying this in the spirit of point-scoring or trying to trip the government up, I just think it's right to review the evidence from the weekend and if this isn't doing what it's intended to do then surely it's right to adjust it or even remove it altogether

"I think we've got a curfew here that is leading to more social gatherings in the home rather than fewer."

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.