SUPPORT LOCAL: Veteran Sheffield politician David Blunkett says restaurateurs need our support

Over the years, I've been constructively critical of the hospitality sector in our city. At least, in comparison to Leeds, Nottingham and Manchester.
Lord David BlunkettLord David Blunkett
Lord David Blunkett

But in recent years, things have substantially improved and areas to the north of the city centre and Kelham Island, have received some national attention.

So, the announcement by the Prime Minister as from Saturday 4 July, restaurants can reopen, is extraordinarily welcome. This is a moment when our actions can actually make a real difference to the revival of at least part of our local economy, to jobs and therefore to stimulating other economic activity – and of course attracting people into the city.

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Yes, I know, there are many people facing redundancy or reduced income on furlough who will not easily be able to afford to eat out. But there are many restaurants which would welcome at least one visit in the weeks ahead, and where, for those not facing the harshest times, would not, in my grandfather's words ‘break the bank."

One such restaurant is Ottos on Sharrow Vale Road. This offers tasty, imaginative, English and Moroccan dishes but above all, an extraordinarily warm welcome.

Many has been the time when returning from London on a Thursday or Friday evening, my wife and I have simply dropped everything and asked Otto and his wife Theresa to squeeze us in for a table for two. A relief from the week, and an opportunity to avoid both cooking and washing up – a ‘pleasure’ that we have not been able to forgo over the last 14 weeks!

One of the downsides for those of us fortunate enough not to have contracted the virus, has not been able to socialise. One of the best ways of doing to do this, even if for some it is only occasionally, is eating out. No doubt readers will have their own favourite restaurant or café which they like to pop into either for a coffee and cake or for a meal. Those restaurateurs who desperately hung on in the hope of being able to reopen, need that clientele now. In other words, those who have been loyal to us in the past, need our loyalty in return.

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Sadly, and this doesn't just apply to restaurants and cafés, some people just will not be able to start up again. Others have been managing with offering Click and Collect. Ottos is kicking off with tasty takeaway meals for the first, second and third of July before opening properly on Saturday the fourth.

One thing is absolutely certain, my wife Margaret and I, will be there, to experience the great safety and care which we have been reassured will be a feature, and above all, to have a damn good meal.