Retailers and residents left reeling after Government places London and South East into Tier 4 restrictions.
On Saturday afternoon, Boris Johnson announced that London and the South East were to enter a new Tier 4 of restrictions. The new measures include closing non-essential retail in the area and cancelling the Christmas plans for many families as they are no longer allowed to mix with other households. Although childcare and support bubbles remain in place.
The announcement also shortened the festive window for other parts of England. Restrictions were to be eased for five days but this has been cut to just Christmas day, where families in Tiers 1, 2 and 3 from three households can still form Christmas bubbles.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO, said, “Closing down non-essential shops as from Sunday in London and the South East is a disaster for those businesses. They have only been open for 17 days in the busiest month of the year and will now miss out if the festive period and New Year sales. They need financial support that reflects what they have lost and certainly better than the grants made available in November (many of which have not been paid).â€
Read the Government’s full statement here
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
