Tighter lockdown restrictions for the city of Liverpool in northern England have local businesses on edge.
Many business owners in the city are growing increasing frustrated as they grapple with a partial closure of the local economy.
‘My worst fears are coming true’ said Jez Lamb, founder of the Merseyside-based craft beer marketplace, Beers @ No.42.
Mr Lamb feels that Liverpool based businesses such as his are on the front line of infection rates, he says as a business owner, you naturally want the whole economy to be open, but at the same time people’s lives are also at risk.”
An ominous winter lies ahead.
Jez Lamb
The new restrictions he says “could see an economy that is already on life support start to flatline”. He added that an ominous winter lies ahead.
Judicial Review
A judicial review claim has been brought against the government by solicitors acting on behalf of the nightclub chain G-A-Y which has clubs in Manchester and London.
The claim challenges the 10pm curfew on the hospitality sector.
Simon Elcock, Partner at DMH Stallard, said the night time industry was being used as a scapegoat for the rise in infections and that there is a growing anger about the restrictions’ ;
Speaking on the legal action, he said;
“The claim is at an early stage and will face significant hurdles if it is to succeed, including the fact that claims of this kind, unusually in our system, require the Court’s permission to proceed and many are knocked out at this ‘permission stage’.
“These hurdles are likely to be exacerbated where infection rates in many parts of the UK are continuing to rise and further government sanctions are expected imminently.
“Perhaps this challenge is as much about keeping this issue high on the agenda for both the public and the government, as it is about the legal position and prospects of success.”