The letter asks Boris Johnson to commit to reviewing the appropriateness of measures imposed on the sector at least every three weeks.
It was organised by trade associations the British Beer & Pub Association, UKHospitality and the British Institute of Innkeeping, and signed by pub companies including Greene King, Admiral Taverns and JD Wetherspoon.
Many jobs and businesses hang in the balance as a “bleak winter” of reduced trade and higher operating costs approaches.
The letter states: “We are not opposed to restrictions that can tackle the spread of the virus but a pragmatic and flexible approach has to be adopted by both central and local Government.
Targeted support
“The 10pm curfew should be removed if demonstrably not working as intended or adjusted to provide for gradual dispersal and avoid the unintended consequences for the wider sector including cultural activities now impacted.”
The letter adds: “Sector-specific restrictions deserve sector-specific support.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s package of employment support “does not go nearly far enough for our imperilled sector,” the signatories agreed.
They have said employer contributions to the Job Support Scheme should be removed for the hospitality sector and grants given to businesses placed under future restrictions.
The letter echoed sector calls for the VAT cut and business rates holiday to be extended through 2021 and beer duty slashed.
What’s more, the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB), which represents 29 family-owned breweries, wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to stop “targeting pubs”.
Draconian rules
The letter argues there is little evidence to justify a focus on pubs and points to coronavirus transmission data suggesting pubs do not make up a significant proportion of cases.
“The current Government policy to escalate rapidly draconian new rules on pubs is the wrong tool for the wrong job,” it reads.
Richard Bailey, IFBB chairman, also called on the Government to rethink the national curfew, masks, and local restrictions on gathering multiple households in a pub.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning (30 September), Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the Government had provided “a lot of specific support” for pubs over the past few months.
He added: “I completely understand they have concerns about a restriction at 10pm but actually they are able to operate through large parts of the evening.”