Blackpool businesses now looking to Easter recovery as resort remains in tier 3

The government announcement ruled out the chance of any last minute pre-Christmas trade for the town’s hospitality industry.

And with January and February traditionally quiet months for Blackpool, many operators are now setting their sights on Easter.

Businessman Robert Wynne, who owns pubs and restaurants in Blackpool, said it was devastating to remain in tier 3.

He added: “I just hope the government is putting all its efforts into the getting the vaccine out, and perhaps we can turn Easter into Christmas.

“There was a lot more financial support during the first lockdown. Pubs had to close at very short notice and we got compensation for the beer we had to throw away.

“This time round, there is none of that, and we have lost October and December which are both crucial times of the year.”

Michael Williams, managing director of the Winter Gardens, said: “We are truly disappointed that Blackpool was not moved into tier 2.

“As with many other resort businesses we have not been open for weeks now and this will continue through into the new year.

“The challenges for hospitality and entertainment venues seems to be compounded with every government announcement, but we realise that the health and well-being of everyone needs to be the number one priority.

“We will use the coming weeks to focus our attentions on our programme of events for 2021 to ensure we are ready to welcome guests back into the amazing Winter Gardens when Government restrictions are lifted.”

Helen Mansell, vice-chairman of hoteliers group StayBlackpool, said: “We obviously can’t open in tier 3, which is absolutely devastating for the industry.

“Now, we definitely don’t want to be missing Easter and the bank holidays leading into the summer, so it’s all about building people’s confidence up with this vaccine.

“We’ve always been Covid safe – deep cleaning, social distancing, hand sanitisers. We’ve gone over and above to keep everyone including ourselves safe when we have had visitors.

“I’m just hoping for a better year next year. We are hoping to welcome our fabulous guests back soon, because it’s devastating seeing everywhere closed in the area.”

Mick Grewcock, of the Burbage Holiday Group in Bispham, said he was concerned for the future of Blackpool but hoped next year would be better.

He said: “I’m very disappointed that we’re staying in tier 3. I’m frightened for Blackpool with all the empty hotels and other businesses.

“Without massive government help, how are we all going to recover?

“My heart was telling me that I wanted tier 2, but my brain said we should stay tier 3.

“It’s going to be an awful winter, but what we need is a fresh start. If we had moved to tier 2, there’s no saying we wouldn’t be back in tier 3 by March. We’ve already seen what happens when we get too relaxed.”

Blackpool Council leader Coun Lynn Williams called on the government to give businesses a clearer route out of the crisis.

She said: “If our tourism and hospitality industry is to have any chance of recovery in 2021 the Government needs to set out a very clear and unambiguous route map that allows businesses to plan ahead.”

There was disappointment Blackpool had not been considered separately from other parts of Lancashire.

Coun Williams added: “We have tourism businesses that were ready to reopen with Covid-safe shows and entertainment this weekend based on a much-improved situation.

“All of that time and effort has been wasted, and consumer confidence will once again ebb away.

“The tourism and hospitality industry simply cannot continue to function with this level of uncertainty, not knowing whether they should be planning for closure or planning for reopening.”

The council’s public health director Dr Arif Rajpura had called for Blackpool to be put into tier 2 so it could continue to control infection rates, while protecting the economy.

Blackpool’s rolling case rate in the week to December 11 stood at 162.5 per 100,000 people – below both the Lancashire (189.1) and England (173.3) averages.

Reviews will continue every two weeks, so there will be another on December 30, and then a third on January 13.

Coun Williams said: “We are finding it increasingly difficult to understand how we can ever move into a lower tier if we are always going to be harnessed to other geographical areas.

“Our infection rates are significantly lower than when we were originally placed in tier 3 and are now lower than places that are designated as tier 2.”

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton said he would continue his efforts to persuade ministers Blackpool should be treated separately to other parts of Lancashire.

He said: “It is very disappointing Lancashire has been treated as a whole once again and that Blackpool is being penalised for the situation elsewhere.

“It is hoped the rollout of the vaccine and mass community testing which is now taking place across Lancashire, including in Blackpool, will reduce infection rates further and enable us to move to tier 2.

“Ahead of the next review later this month, I will continue to argue in the strongest possible terms that local authorities should be treated separately and that the conditions have been met to enable Blackpool to move to tier 2.

“I will also continue to push for further support – in addition to the existing government support packages – for our local businesses and tourism industry.”