Sheffield landlord 'hanging on by fingernails' as tougher Tier 3 looms
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Maurice Champeau, general manager of Crookes Social Club, said it would survive the pandemic in some form, provided there was relief by Easter.
The music and entertainment business is surviving by furloughing staff, Tier 3 grant support, a business rates holiday and borrowing to pay bills.
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Hide AdHe expected to survive until Easter, despite expecting to be shut throughout December when the club makes 40 per cent of annual profits.
Under the new, tougher Tier 3 rules all pubs and restaurants must remain closed – not just those which don’t serve a ‘substantial meal’.
Mr Champeau said: “Tier 3 after lockdown will close more pubs. Most in the trade are hanging on by their fingernails and not being able to open after lockdown will finish them off for good.
"But for some there is light at the end of the tunnel from the vaccine, which I’m hoping arrives in April. As a nation we’ve got nothing else to hang on to.
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Hide Ad“The furlough scheme has been extended to March and my bank has been very good, giving us loans so we can stay closed.”
Under the new rules people are advised to avoid travelling to other parts of the UK other than for work, education and a handful of other reasons.
Non-essential shops can reopen, along with gyms, hairdressers, places of worship and some other venues.