Scotland’s pubs and bars are taking the ‘biggest hit in the UK’ after early closing restrictions

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has said that the industry is facing a higher negative business impact than the rest of the UK.

Scotland’s pubs and bars are taking the ‘biggest hit in the UK’ according to the Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

The new coronavirus restrictions include a 10 pm curfew for all pubs and bars across the country, as well as new regulations around face covering while inside the premises.

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: “The supposedly joined-up thinking of the UK governments on restricting hours is farcical following the announcement that a closing time of 11pm will be imposed in Northern Ireland from Wednesday which follows the announcement last week

that pubs and bars in Wales would close at 10.30pm.

“The Scottish trade is losing more trading hours per day than any other country in the UK, with the staggered closing times we have in Scotland this is anything from between two and five hours per day.

"Other parts of the UK do not have the same flexibility in opening hours.

“Having invested heavily in training and social-distancing measures across the entire sector to reopen and rebuild consumer confidence, the Scottish Government has disproportionately targeted our industry yet again with devastating consequences for businesses and the jobs that they

provide.”

The SLTA claims that the scientific data does not support the need for a curfew and has called for the Scottish Government to provide information on the ‘R’ rate and the non-compliance rate stemming from the pub, bar and restaurant sector.

Mr Wilkinson added: “Just a thought – if these restrictions are about curtailing movement, then why not introduce a proper curfew where entry to our pubs and bars ceases at a given time allowing for a gradual, more controlled dispersal of customers later in the evening.”

Tuesday saw the highest number of cases in Scotland for coronavirus, with the Scottish Government reporting 806 positive tests.

123 patients are in hospital after testing positive with 14 of them in intensive care.

This comes after 1,000 cases were recorded over the weekend and the First Minister has warned that the cases are rising across all age groups.

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