Opinion

‘Freedom Day’: ‘After numerous false promises, I will only believe it once I see it’

08-Jul-2021 - Last updated on 08-Jul-2021 at 07:52 GMT

Inconsistencies and hypocrisy: 'I as much as anyone want to see the back of the pandemic, the restrictions and the measures we’ve all had to invest in and adhere to, but I really will have to see it to believe it'

Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday (5 July) was obviously a positive one for the hospitality industry and many others who have been repeatedly devastated by the ongoing restrictions and lockdowns that have been imposed on our country.

But after numerous false promises, I will only believe it once I see it.

I’m waiting for legislation to be written and for the restrictions to actually be scrapped to truly believe in the latest announcement and plan the next steps for my business in order to reopen and actually turn over a profit for the first time in 18 months.

No one can underestimate the magnitude of the pandemic; its absolutely obliterated businesses left, right and centre, and the ones that it’s left behind are still picking up the pieces and trying to find their new way or working post lockdown.

Never-ending navigation of constant changes

For me and my business, the Sandon Complex in Anfield, I’ve barely opened since March 2020.

The Sandon is the birthplace of Liverpool Football Club and largely a match day pub and so without the fans in the stadiums, it’s just not been feasible for me to reopen the doors.

On big match days like the Champion’s League Final, we can expect up to 5,000 guests from all over the world. If you can imagine going from full capacity to reduced capacity, table service only and no travelling fans as well as restrictions on the amount of fans allowed in the stadiums, it’s been a never-ending navigation of the constant changes in measures and what was and wasn’t allowed.

‘Sheer inconsistencies and hypocrisy’

If restrictions lift as Boris Johnson says they will, I’m not confident that our Government won’t go back on their word. It only took two days for Chris Whitty to dash our hopes and say that they won’t rule out reimposing measures to control the virus this winter.

But after their huge drive to get the UK population vaccinated, and delaying ‘Freedom Day’ until 19 July, I do wonder how and why we’d need to go back into a lockdown or tier restrictions if the vast majority of people are inoculated or have been offered the vaccine.

I’m sure I’m not the only one to be doubtful that what the Government says is set in stone and that we’ll actually go back to some sort of normal life after ‘Freedom Day’.

The sheer inconsistencies and hypocrisy that we’ve witnessed from our government is enough to make anyone question what they say.

I as much as anyone want to see the back of the pandemic, the restrictions and the measures we’ve all had to invest in and adhere to, but I really will have to see it to believe it.