Two hospitality leaders have launched a High Court challenge against the UK government, arguing there is no evidence to support delaying the full reopening of pubs until May 17. Hugh Osmond, founder of Punch Taverns, and Sacha Lord, night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, claim the risk of Covid transmission is higher in non-essential retail, which is allowed to open from April 12, than in pubs.
The pair gave the government a Wednesday night ultimatum to produce new evidence backing its roadmap, but say it has failed to do so. They now seek an expedited judicial review, arguing that hospitality venues have spent millions making their businesses Covid-secure and should be allowed to open indoors with restrictions from April 12.
Meanwhile, Wetherspoons has announced plans to reopen outdoor areas from April 12, with a seven-point plan including app ordering, one-way systems, and test and trace. However, unlike some rivals, it will not allow advance bookings for outdoor spaces.
Sacha Lord said: 'The Government has failed to introduce any new evidence as to why indoor hospitality cannot open on April 12 alongside non-essential retail.' Hugh Osmond previously warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the lockdown is costing the hospitality industry £200 million a day and has a 'potentially indirectly discriminatory effect' on young people and ethnic minorities.
