Economy Adviser commences Judicial Review into the legality of emergency restrictions on Greater Manchester's hospitality sector

Sacha Lord, the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, Co-Founder of Parklife Festival and Co-Founder of the Warehouse Project, has commenced a Judicial Review into the legality of implementing emergency restrictions on Greater Manchester's hospitality sector without scientific evidence. 

Led by Sam Karim QC, Sarah Clover and Leo Charalambides of Kings Chambers instructed by Oliver Wright of JMW, a pre-action letter has been filed, in relation to a proposed challenge to the reclassification of Greater Manchester from Tier 2 to Tier 3 in accordance with the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.

Mr Lord said: "I think I speak for all involved in Greater Manchester's night time economy in saying both the Government's handling of these negotiations and the outcome yesterday are not what we had hoped for. 

"We understand the public health need but fair financial support is crucial for those most severely affected and at risk of poverty and I am acutely aware of the disappointment felt both from our leaders and across the city region with the Government's decision yesterday.

"I am heartbroken that pubs and bars across Greater Manchester will now be forced to close without any evidence that this will bring transmissions down.

"These same operators have worked tirelessly to abide by Government rules from the outset.

"They have accepted quick-fire lockdowns and spent thousands implementing the Government's own recommended Covid-secure measures.

"This recent move will not only cause severe mental anguish and devastate the livelihoods of the operators themselves, but will severely affect the wider night time ecology.

"Taxi drivers, suppliers, performers, musicians and countless freelancers will all now face terrible hardship without any rationale, as will restaurants who will see trade drop off extensively.

"It is also now inevitable that this move will trigger an increase in household socialising, where we know transmission rates are prevalent. 

"Despite our calls, we have not been shown any clear, tangible scientific evidence to merit these closures. 

"In fact, the only evidence we have seen is from Public Health England, whose own data has shown hospitality venues attributed to just three per cent of Covid transmissions in the past week.

"It is my belief that this new lockdown will recklessly destroy our night time economy.

"We have now commenced a Judicial Review into the legality of implementing these emergency restrictions on the hospitality sector without scientific evidence.

"I will update on the progress of this case in due course."

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