Bath’s Tier 2 restrictions when it comes out of the national lockdown next week will have a “chilling impact” on its economy, with much of its hospitality sector remaining “frozen” in the vital run-up to Christmas, business groups have warned.
Bath Chamber of Commerce group Business West said despite having escaped being put in the much stricter Tier 3 along with neighbouring authorities Bristol and South Gloucestershire, many businesses in Bath & North East Somerset would be prevented from operating fully.
While all shops, hotels, bars and visitor attractions will be able to reopen from Wednesday if they have social distancing measures in place, pubs will only be able to serve alcohol with a ‘substantial’ meal.
The city's highly successful Christmas Market remains cancelled although The Roman Baths will reopen its doors next Wednesday, having been closed for nearly a month.
Business West managing director Phil Smith said: “The restrictions will have a chilling impact on the region’s economy and its ability to recover into the new year – and is very disappointing news for the many businesses for who the run up to Christmas is a vital time for earnings.
“We urge everyone to redouble their efforts to comply with social distancing, to allow us to get the virus under control and start to ease restrictions before Christmas and into the new year.”
In the week ending November 21, Bath & North East Somerset had 303 reported cases of Covid-19, or 156.8 cases per 100,000 people – a drop of 88.5 on the previous week. The areas cases er 100,000 measure is now less than half that of Bristol and markedly lower than both South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, which is also in Tier 3.
CBI South West director Deborah Fraser, pictured, said for many businesses in the region going into toughened tiers while waiting for a vaccine would feel like suspended animation.
“Some parts of the economy, such as retail, can begin to re-open and look towards a recovery. It gives our high streets a chance to rescue some of the vital festive trading period,” she said.
“But for other businesses the ongoing restrictions in Tiers 2 and 3 will leave their survival hanging by a thread. Hospitality will remain frozen. And supply chains that cross regions in different tiers will be hit even if they don’t face direct restrictions.
“It’s vital that these firms receive the financial support they need to make it through to the Spring. Clarity about ongoing employment support, including the Job Retention Bonus, will help protect as many jobs as possible.
“Businesses need to know what support will be there through to March and beyond in advance, rather than taking it down to the wire.
“Lessons must be learned from previous local lockdowns. Boundary lines between different tiers need to work on the ground. Trigger points for exiting the higher tiers must be transparent.
“Those decisions will need to be clearly communicated each fortnight and taken collaboratively between local, regional and national leaders. Most importantly, evidence must be open and transparent – the cost to jobs is only justifiable if it has a material impact on health.
“Liverpool’s shift to Tier 2 is clear evidence that mass testing can make a real difference on the ground.
“So there is encouraging news on mass rapid testing and vaccines, and it’s vital to protect jobs and businesses with an end in sight.”
