Wetherspoons sinks to heaviest loss on record from Covid lockdowns

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He also attacked the Government for its handling of the sector during the pandemic and claimed the use of lockdown restrictions were “a threat to civil society and democracy”. relates to the precedent set by the Government for the use of lockdowns and draconian restrictions, imposed under emergency powers Tim Martin “During the pandemic, the pressure on pub managers and staff has been particularly acute, with a number of nationwide and regional pub closures and reopenings, often with very little warning, each of which resulted in different regulations.” The founder added: “In spite of these obstacles, Wetherspoon is cautiously optimistic about the outcome for the financial year, on the basis that there is no further resort to lockdowns or onerous restrictions.” Pubs have been one of the hardest-hit sectors from the pandemic, facing lengthy closures and rule changes, although they have also been entitled to Government support in furlough scheme payments, VAT holidays and local authority grants. Instead, he turned his ire on the Government and said: “The biggest threat to the pub industry, and also, inter alia, to restaurants, theatres, cinemas, airlines and travel companies, relates to the precedent set by the Government for the use of lockdowns and draconian restrictions, imposed under emergency powers. “This threat, which is also a threat to civil society and democracy, has been regularly articulated by many commentators, including the former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption.”