Washington pub writes to Government asking for more help as restrictions tighten

Anthony Payne, landlord of the Ox & Plough in Oxclose, Washington, was nominated for an award along with his team for their community work during lockdown.

The pub reopened in July as lockdown eased, but now with measures being brought in first as part of the North East restrictions and now expected nationally, he has written an open letter to Sunderland MPs, councillors and the Government calling for action.

The letter, which was sent to Health Secretary Matt Hancock among others, urges support for small business as they face reduced footfall and operating hours, with fears some pubs and restaurants may not survive this latest wave of restrictions, which include closing between 10pm and 5am, and offering table service only.

Staff and community volunteers at the Ox & Plough, Washington

It reads: “We have already observed enforced closures in other areas, i.e. Bolton. The Government responded to this by implementing further grants and support.

"However, this ‘half-way house’ style approach taken in the North East, asking businesses to remain open leaves us unable to access any additional support.

"This is particularly challenging for businesses like wet-led pubs, where unlike some businesses in the hospitality trade, it is not typically made up of single-household groups.

“I am in full support of doing what we can to combat this virus and minimise its spread.

"However, I urge you to consider the major economic impact to small businesses like mine.

"We haven’t yet fully recovered from being closed for nearly four months and are now faced with reduced revenue, increased costs and further major disruption to our trade. Pubs like mine will start to close for good without the support from our Local Authorities and Government.

“Please help mine and other pubs in the region survive.”

Mr Payne said the Ox & Plough is seeing just 30% of normal trade and he is concerned for its future and that of others if action is not taken soon.

He said: “By asking businesses to remain open but having to increase their operating expenses with staff, further clamp down on hygiene which we’ve already invested heavily in but then compound that by having reduced operating hours with an already reduced foot fall is making it extremely difficult to be able sustain a business.

"If they want to take this sort of approach, local authorities and the Government need to realise businesses need to be supported before they have to close permanently.

"When we were forced to close in March at least we could stop our outgoings, now we’ve been forced into a lose-lose situation with spiralling costs, reduced trade and no kind of support, and we’re not alone.”

A number of pubs and restaurants in the area are supporting the letter and the call for action comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans new stricter restrictions across the country.

In the letter, Anthony calls for additional grant funding to support local businesses and keep them open during these tough restrictions.

The Ox & Plough team nominated for an Admiral Pub Heroes award for their hard work supporting the community during lockdown.

The open letter from the Ox & Plough to local MPs, Councillors and Ministers can be read in full here.

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