‘Crippling news’ for hospitality says Whittlesey chef Chris

The chef patron at Homme Nouveau in the Market Square said he was planning to open next week under the Tier 2 restrictions announced yesterday, but had already had cancellations.

“It is just more frustration ,” he said. “December is traditionally the busiest month of the year and sees you through a quiet January when everyone has spent up.”

“You are allowed to mix in up to 3 households on Christmas Day in a ‘bubble’ yet you cannot (apparently) go for your Christmas lunch in a pub or restaurant?

“I have cancellations already, people are worried about mixing and perhaps unsure about the restrictions.”

The frustrated chef added: “So I am assuming the government assumes that all households will be ‘covid secure’, family members will be wearing masks when not seated, family members will have to hand sanitise when they enter the house, and it must be table service?

“Again, pubs and restaurants and the one million people in the supply chain suffer yet again!

“People may think i am being negative, but this industry has given me everything. I care about my industry and the people in it. From my butcher, to the person that picks my veg to the fish delivery driver.

“Without a busy December, the whole supply chain struggles along side us. We are talking about four million people!”