Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez blasts Government for ‘singling out’ hospitality industry during coronavirus pandemic

Steve Perez said recent rules aimed at curbing the virus – including Tier 2 restrictions and a 10pm curfew on pubs, bars and restaurants – were having ‘devastating’ effects on the industry.

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Mr Perez, who owns Casa Hotel, Peak Edge Hotel and Global Brands, said: “From studies I’ve seen, less than four per cent of infection comes from hospitality – we’re being singled out by a Government which wants to be seen to be doing something.

“Politicians on generous pay packets are bankrupting businesses and putting good people on the dole.

“We’re running at 50 per cent capacity in the hotel and restaurant, over 130 wedding bookings have been lost and 50 conferences have been cancelled.

“Unfortunately, we’ve also had to make several redundancies.

“The Government’s restrictions are having devastating effects on this industry and people’s livelihoods – and things are only going to get worse if changes aren’t made.”

Mr Perez urged the Government to scrap the 10pm curfew and offer more financial support for businesses in Tier 2 areas, including Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

He said: “The hospitality industry has spent a huge amount of money to ensure their venues are Covid-secure.

“The 10pm curfew is unsafe – it’s leading to crowds of people flooding out on to the streets at the same time and there are concerns it’s resulting in more gatherings and parties at home.

“Businesses under Tier 2 restrictions are in no man’s land – they’re not eligible for any extra financial support from the Government, unlike businesses in Tier 3.”

In the House of Commons on Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government had ‘supported the hospitality industry more than any other’.

Earlier this month, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said evidence presented to MPs by England’s chief medical officer showed around 30 per cent of coronavirus transmissions could be occuring in hospitality venues.

Mr Zahawi admitted that this information was based on data from just 98 venues – but claimed the figure was ‘pretty robust sampling’.

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