Bracknell: Tier 3 reaction from borough's pubs and restaurants

That’s the verdict from owners of pubs and restaurants across Bracknell Forest after it was announced the borough would be moving to Tier 3 restrictions from tomorrow (Saturday, December 19).

The measures, announced yesterday, have greater impacts on hospitality venues than the rules in Tiers 1 and 2.

READ MORE: When will tier 3 restrictions be reviewed and what do tier 3 areas need to do?

Under the new restrictions, pubs, bars, restaurants and other eateries will have to close and will only be allowed to trade through takeaway delivery or collection services.

“We’ve had a year of hell”, says Sarah Beni, co-owner of Italian restaurant Don Beni in Winkfield Row.

She adds: “The government has not offered anything to hospitality to help us through this situation.

“We’ve stayed open and now we’re trying to do takeaways, but this is the time of the year where you try and claw back a bit of money for the New Year when it’s quiet.

“It’s devastating for us, really.

“But we will push on. We’ll keep open.

“Other businesses can stay open but it’s just pubs and restaurants which have to close.

READ MORE: Everything you can and can't do now Berkshire is in tier 3

“They [shops] are packed with Christmas shoppers. Gyms are allowed to open, beauty shops where you’re really close to people are allowed to open, but you can’t sit down and have a meal.

“I find that shocking for hospitality and it’s been a really hard year.”

Hospitality venues were already facing tough restrictions in Tier 2 with pubs and bars forced to close unless they were operating as restaurants.

Restaurants were only allowed to serve alcohol with substantial meals.

For managers at The Golden Farmer, a pub in Bracknell, the changes were indicative of the tier system ‘not working’.

Mark, a boss at the pub, told the News: “[It was the] the last thing needed.

“Open shut, open shut.

“Pubs [are] safe to be in with all the restrictions in place; sanitizers on the table, distancing, temperature checks upon entrance, NHS app, yet shops are open.

[The] Tier system doesn't work.

READ MORE: Why the government moved all of Berkshire to tier 3

“Hospitality trade has taken the smack in the face in all this.”

With many restaurants and pubs now set for their last day of trading today (at least until tiers are reviewed at the end of the year), plans to set up takeaway services are being brought back to the fore at several eateries across the borough.

Italian gastropub The Boot, on Park Road in Bracknell, is one establishment doing just this with takeaway and delivery times already published on their Facebook page.

Gianluca Suppa, owner, told the News: "The feeling is definitely quite sombre, having closed twice to only do takeaway and delivery twice already then having confusing and complicated tier rules thrust upon us, to only be open two weeks and now close again is heart-wrenching.

"As a family business we’re reliant on our amazing community and they’ve been behind us an overwhelming amount — which we can’t thank enough.

"We simply have to try to make the most of what’s given to us unfortunately and we’re doing our best as we always have.

"We will be offering takeaway and delivery all the rest of the year including Christmas Day and holding a New Year’s Eve live stream ringing in the new year singing songs so we can at least act like we’re all together."