The boss of pubs group Marston’s has warned he does not expect venues to reopen until March at the earliest and even then social distancing restrictions will remain in place.
Chief executive Ralph Findlay said the Government must step up and extend the business rates holiday beyond its current end date in April, and cut VAT when doors finally open again.
“The pub sector has been closed for much of the last nine months and remains in a very difficult position,” he said.
“Regrettably there have been casualties across the sector and it is vital that the Government reviews urgently the opportunity to continue to support pubs as we reopen the economy in the coming weeks.