Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia is backing calls for the relaxation of Tier 2 lockdown rules in Tooting and the borough to ease the 'severe trade restrictions faced by pubs and bars'.

In a letter dispatched today (Thursday 26th November) to Business Secretary Alok Sharma, Cllr Govindia is urging the Government to soften its approach to the hospitality industry, describing the restrictions as "poorly thought out" and jeopardising the future of this important sector of the borough's economy.

The government today announced that London will be in Tier 2 level restrictions when lockdown ends on 2nd December.

His letter states: "The suite of measures that make up Tier 2 restrictions in London will create a very real challenge for the pubs and the wider hospitality sector.

"Wandsworth has been home to a brewing industry for nearly 200 years. It was in 1832 that Young's started brewing on the banks of the Wandle. Brewing continues on that site today and for the survival of this historic link the brewed beer has to have an outlet. Tier 2 restrictions just do not allow that.

"Pubs are a huge part of the cultural make up of my borough, as it is across the country. In Wandsworth, hundreds of local jobs depend on these pubs remaining open.

"My personal experience has been that pubs have put in place all the right measures to create a COVID secure environment which in turn has helped people socialise safely, provide a degree of relaxation in these troubled times and helped their mental well-being.

"The approach taken by the Government fails to fully recognise risk to this economically vibrant sector how it will be greatly diminished by these continuing restrictions. I urge you to seek a review and reversal of this poorly thought out measure."

What does Tier 2 mean for Tooting's pubs and restaurants? Read our report here.

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