Tax online companies who have benefitted from pandemic to help others - Peterborough pub boss

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson set to outline his “roadmap” of recovery on Monday, Darren Peachey says he would rather wait until it is safe with restrictions at a minimum rather than risk further lockdowns which would spell the end for thousands of pubs.

Darren, whose Venture Pub Company leases a number of pubs across the area, including The Dragon at Werrington (pictured), says the industry is at “breaking point”.

With outdoor-only service one of the proposals supposedly being considered ahead of reopening, Darren said: “I think we will open with outside spaces in April. This isn’t ideal for any pub. We have a lot of work to do to get the pubs open again. We would prefer to wait until the restrictions are at a level where we can open our pubs at a level that means we won’t be losing money.

“Any talks of tiers like the previous ones will be disastrous for us too. I think the general consensus throughout the hospitality sector is that we would rather stay closed until we can open with minimal restrictions.”

He said last summer’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme - another is being called for in some quarters - was okay, but it did not help pubs that were drinks-led rather than food-led. Nor did the 5 per cent VAT rate on food.

“If we get to another situation where we have to go into lockdown again I honestly believe it will be the end of thousands of pubs,” he added. “Our industry is at breaking point and cannot take anymore.”

And his suggestion going forward to help the hard-hit hospitality trade: “Tax the companies that have benefitted from the pandemic, that includes all online businesses and inject that into the industries and sectors that have been hit the hardest.”