Top Inverness publican declares the Scottish Government's imposition of a 10pm pub curfew an "own goal" in the fight against Covid-19
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An award-winning Inverness publican has failed to sway Scotland’s First Minister with a warning that imposing a curfew on the hospitality trade could heighten Covid-19 infection risks.
Don Lawson, owner of Johnny Foxes and The Den, write to FM Nicola Sturgeon ahead of today’s Scottish Government briefing where she confirmed arrangements for the reopening of outdoors-only hospitality on April 26.
Measures include a repeat of last year’s strict 10pm closing time.
Mr Lawson, who employed 45 people before the pandemic, fears the curfew measure and a slow lifting of restrictions will hit jobs in the sector across Scotland.
He is also concerned that a curfew actually raises the risk of Covid-19 spreading by encouraging street and house gatherings after closing time.
As a former president of the Inverness and Highlands and Islands Licensed Trade Association and ex-chairman of Inverness Pubwatch, Mr Lawson’s views hold considerable weight, but his last-gasp plea for a rethink fell on deaf ears.
The businessman, who also runs a bar-restaurant in Aviemore, has more than 40 years’ experience in the licensed trade and, over the last 24 years, has built Foxes into one of the Highlands’ best-known establishments.
He won the Scottish Licensee of the Year award in 2010, while Foxes was the trade’s prestigious Best Bar None national champion in 2012 and 2015.
Speaking before today's announcement, Mr Lawson said: “I feel very strongly about this, and I’m so frustrated. I’ve been thinking about staff I’m not going to be able to take back on because of it.
“I feel for them and I’m concerned for their mental health. I’ve got a real responsibility because a lot of them have families.
“I was feeling kind of helpless, so I thought the one thing I could do was to appeal directly to Nicola. It’s a long shot, but she might listen.
“This curfew is an own goal. Come 10pm closing – and we’ve all done it – people will head to flats and houses where the risk is highest.
“The safest place to drink is in the controlled environment of the pub.
“With our normal outdoors closing time of midnight in summer, there is no problem. People drink at their own pace and leave in small numbers.
“I just feel we have to stop running away from the virus and learn to live with it.”
From Monday, April 26, groups of up to six from three households will be allowed to eat and drink together outdoors until 10pm.
From May 17, restricted numbers could be allowed indoors, with closing time stretched to 10.30pm. By June 1, the curfew would increase to 11pm.
Part of Mr Lawson’s letter to Ms Sturgeon read: “I must appeal to you personally to re-think the curfew restrictions you are about to place on the hospitality industry in Scotland.
“Although I do support data before dates, there is no scientific evidence to support this overly cautious approach.
“What you are doing, in effect, is creating an environment that could lead to further positive cases of Covid-19.
“Pubs and bars are Covid-secure, with supervised drinking. Drinking at friends’ houses is not.”
Given rules restricting pre-election statements, Scottish Government officials could only respond with background information on policy.
A spokesman said: “Reopening of the economy, including the hospitality sector, remains a gradual and cautious process, which means we must ensure we do not do anything to undermine the hard won progress that has been made.
“The hospitality sector has been hit hard by the pandemic but we are confident we have the correct balance in the plans for reopening under the strategic framework, starting on April 26.
“The Scottish Government’s updated guidance for the tourism and hospitality sectors in Scotland was published last week, which aims to ensure the safety of staff, customers and the public is at the centre of operational plans for re-opening of these sectors.
“The guidance will be kept under review.”
• Related article: Breaking: First Minister gives the green light for the reopening of hospitality, retail, gyms and swimming pools while she anticipates reaching level zero by late June
