How has Covid affected members clubs?

L L THIS WEEK

Private clubs snookered by lockdown restrictions

By SARAH TAYLOR

With the new localised restrictions in place, many hospitality businesses are having to cater to a Covid-safe workplace whilst also trying to generate an income.

However, whilst pubs and restaurants are at the forefront of the news, private members’ clubs seem to be forgotten.

Private members’ clubs have to heavily rely on their members in order to make an income.

Measures, that came into effect on October 3, indicate that any hospitality venues must close from 10pm until 5am, and that people should not meet or socialise with people outside of the family in any indoor setting.

The previous restrictions also still apply, including having track and trace and all staff wearing face coverings.

This means venues like the Hoylake Conservative Club are having trouble making money.

HCC mainly focuses on funerals and christenings, but the changes mean that there cannot be more than six people at the wake - and the handling of utensils means buffets can be an issue.

Caroline Taylor, the secretary of Hoylake Conservative Club, explained how COVID-19 has impacted the club financially: “We have been financially hit quite hard. We’ve had hardly any customers.

“We have only been open six to

By WILL RAYMENT

Pubs have been faced with new restrictions which many owners say will be impossible to enforce.

A local politician has called for additional help for the hospitality sector as their struggle continues to intensify.

The recent restriction of no mixing of households has been added to the 10pm curfew and the ‘rule of six’ that was introduced a few weeks ago.

Owners of pubs are no longer receiving financial help while the trade continues to struggle in the current climate, having to adapt to meet current requirements and restrictions.

Co-owner of The Bridewell Fiona

Clubs and social venues are hard-hit by the latest moves

eight weeks, and we are only getting two or three customers a night. We used to get around a dozen a night as well as the snooker league.

“It won’t be financially viable to keep the club open during the winter because of the cost of heating and lighting.”

The snooker league is another cause of major financial loss to multiple clubs across the Wirral. Ian Hawes, the chairman of Deeside Amateur Billiards and Snooker league, captain of Hoylake Conservative Club team ‘A’, and a snooker player himself, explained how the restrictions have severely affected snooker:

“There are currently no matches allowed. This includes both league and Hornsby said: “This latest round with no mixing of households is going to be impossible.”

The Bridewell, owned by Fiona and her husband Dominic was nominated for Liverpool pub of the year by Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards for 2020 and also won Liverpool Echo’s pub of the year.

The number of visits to Britain during the coronavirus outbreak has dropped by 54% between March 2019 and March 2020, according to VisitBritain.

In order for pubs and restaurants to obey these rules smoothly, customers must also take action. This involves wearing masks, following the ‘rule cup matches, so there is very little playing. The new local rules mean players can only play people from their own household which is impossible.

“The league is trying to restart the programme in January, but the restrictions will need to have been lifted by then in order for it to go ahead.

“The league was originally due to start in August but it got pushed back so the league will have to be shortened this year.

“Hopefully this will just affect us in the short term, but it could have long term effects if this season doesn’t happen.

“Some players might lose interest

Photos © Sarah Taylor

Local pubs struggling with measures

so teams fold as a result.” of six’, track and trace and to socially distance.

Mrs Hornsby said: “Our customers have been really good, 99% have been absolutely fine.”

City councillor Richard Kemp said: “Pubs are not getting any help at all at the moment and the point the council is making to the government is that this will pull people out of business.

“It has to be the government because the council has no reserves to put into this.”

The Bridewell owner told LL: “We have lost furniture, we have lost seating because we’ve had to move things around a bit. We’ve lost seating which means we’ve lost customers.”