Sadiq Khan calls for 10pm curfew to be scrapped

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for the 10pm hospitality curfew to be scrapped as stricter coronavirus restrictions come in to force.

He said the closing time was ineffective and made "even less sense" now the capital had moved in to Tier 2 (high) restrictions, which prevent members of different households mixing.

Khan said: "I have said for a while that the current curfew rule needs to be rapidly reviewed. We saw the worrying consequences of increased social mixing on the streets and on public transport in the capital around 10pm immediately after its introduction.

"Immediately scrapping the 10pm curfew would allow more sittings of single households in restaurants throughout the evening, helping with cashflow at a time when venues need all the support they can get."

Khan added that the government needs to introduce "a proper job retention scheme" in line with the 80% furlough scheme put in place at the start of the pandemic.

He said: "The Government still haven't got a grip on this virus and provided a functioning test and trace system. Ministers must give businesses the support they need to survive while restrictions remain in place."

Yesterday around 600 members of the hospitality industry gathered in Westminster to protest the government's policies, including the curfew and ineffective financial support for the sector.

Jeremy Joseph, owner of the G-A-Y nightclub group, is moving forward with a legal challenge to the closing time amid a growing backlash from the industry.

The Caterer has also launched a campaign calling on the government to Can The Curfew. To sign the petition click here.