A RESTAURANT has blasted people for pretending to be from the same household to sit inside as hospitality businesses struggle due to pandemic restrictions.

Angela Baker, of Baker’s in Blackburn Road, Egerton, said groups saying on arrival that they were from the same household, or bubble, when they may not be were putting her business at risk of a £10,000 fine.

She is asking customers not to mix within hospitality businesses.

And she said: “We are starting to ask people to show their IDs to prove they live together. It’s awful but we have to avoid any fines.”

Tier 3 restrictions mean people from different households cannot mix indoors, including inside pubs and restaurants. 

But Mrs Baker believes people have been doing so anyway.

She said she had been making sure to follow the guidelines, adding: “Businesses like ours in Bolton have been struggling so much recently and people pretending to be from the same household or bubble when they are obviously not doesn’t help. We could be given a £10,000 fine.

“The restrictions have already had a massive financial impact on us and people not being allowed to mix has meant we’ve seen a drop in numbers.

“It’s not in our best financial interest to stop people socialising and coming here to eat and drink but rules are rules.”

“We’ve let people in as they’ve said they’re from the same household but then overheard them talk about things that obviously mean they are not.”

Mrs Baker added: “We are starting to ask people to show their IDs to prove they live together.”

“It’s awful but we have to avoid any fines.”