'Tier 2 would have been a lifeline': Anger and frustration as Bolton remains in tier 3

It was hoped that hospitality and the rest of the leisure industry could reopen ­— under certain conditions ­— after Bolton’s infection rate dropped considerably.

But today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock kept the whole of Greater Manchester under the toughest coronavirus restrictions, despite pressure from politicians to place the town into tier 2.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh said: “I am frustrated and disappointed at the decision to keep us in tier 3.

“Our rates are now below the England average, now in the 140s from being as high as the 600s, and on a downward trajectory

“These aren’t easy decisions, opinion is polarised and I accept there are risks to an easing of restrictions at this time. But I also think the opening of hospitality that offers food, allowed in tier 2, would have been the lifeline that is so desperately needed for those businesses and jobs right now.

“I don’t understand why crowds can still come together within non-essential retail yet hospitality that offers food remains closed when they work within a stronger regulated sector.

He added: “The important thing now is to keep following the guidance in order to get these figures down even lower; and to celebrate Christmas safely and responsibly in order, not just to protect ourselves, but to protect those close to us who are older and more vulnerable to the virus.”

The same frustration was echoed by businesses in the hospitality industry with restaurants now cancelling all their Christmas bookings.

Ryan Bailey from Northern Monkey said: “ It was expected, but we were ready to open if we were moved into tier 2.

“We have invested a lot of money to ensure the premises are safe including into an app, where people can place their orders at the table.

“I have tried to stay upbeat through this but now businesses are angry. The point needs to be made that the goal posts seem to change when it comes to the North West.

“ No one knows better than Bolton what it is like to be under tier 3 and other restrictions, yet we never seem to get to the other side, even though infection rates are falling. We just want some equality.

“We have missed the Christmas shopping trade and it has to be remembered that tier 2 does not mean open door for all.”

Retreat Bolton posted on social media, saying: “So Matt Hancock has cancelled Christmas for us Northern Monkeys, meaning all reservations in December will now be cancelled.

“We’ll publish shortly our plan for next week regarding takeaways. Merry Christmas, from our beloved government.”

Group executive chef of the Retreat Restaurants Gareth Mason says the hospitality industry is being unfairly punished.

He said: “We have invested money in making out restaurants covid-secure and I feel we are being punished and the hospitality sector has being punished for long enough in Bolton.

"We have so many measures in place to keep people safe. There has not been a case of coronavirus in our restaurants that we have been made aware of through our track and trace.”

“Now the well known chefs are speaking out. We have no government minister which represents the hospitality sector.

“The hospitality sector is important for people’s well-being, the economy.”

Sean Hornby, a ward councillor and a publican, said: “I am disappointed that we have not been lifted into tier 2, but this was not about infection rates being low but for the NHS, which is under pressure at this time of year even without covid.

“It is going to be a difficult Christmas for some pubs ­— but once we are allowed to open we need to be able to stay open.”

Greater Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham said he was “not surprised but very disappointed” that his region was staying in tier 3.

He told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “Greater Manchester today has lower rates than Liverpool and London had when they were originally put into tier 2.

“One can only conclude that it’s the changed context in London and the South East which has changed the national context which has led to everybody in the north of England staying in restrictions.

“It feels like if the North has rising cases, the North goes under restrictions; if London and the South East has rising cases, everyone stays under restrictions.”

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “It is hard not to feel that Bolton pubs have been singled out unfairly. All people ask for is consistency and fairness.

"In September places in Bolton were put into a form of tier 3 restrictions when cases were at a level lower than other areas being put into tier 2 now. It does feel that the goalposts are constantly moved for our pubs her. My position has always been to understand the need for restrictions but to say that any business forced to close should be fully supported. This has not been the case in Bolton and Greater Manchester.”

Bolton North East MP Mark Logan said: “We have forfeited much freedom under the toughest form of restrictions.

“We have brought the local rate of infection down, below the national average.”