Bolton pubs and bars prone to suffer with coronavirus

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged everyone in a speech on Monday to avoid social contact, and specifically to stay away from pubs and restaurants.

The hospitality industry immediately voiced its concerns to this as they were not given instructions to close, which has happened in other countries, such as Belgium.

This means that businesses cannot claim any money back on insurance, and are therefore relying on people to defy the advice to attend pubs, so they can keep their businesses afloat and pay their staff.

Bolton CAMRA, who campaign for quality real ale and cider around the town and act as a champion for pubs, have voiced their concerns to the advice.

A spokesman for CAMRA said: "We understand that staying away from social meeting places such as pubs and clubs may be needed in this difficult situation. But the effects could be devastating.

"Until there is an order to close, most pubs have no choice but to remain open.

"We hope people will support them if it is safe to do so, but whatever happens, pub and brewery incomes will plummet.

"Government recognise that pubs and clubs are the heart of many of our communities and breweries are some of our most cherished local businesses.

"We hope they will offer them support, such as business rate and VAT relief, to stay afloat.

"If pubs do close their doors, people can still do their bit by making sure they buy bottles direct from local breweries."

The government has offered some business relief to small business who may be struggling to cope during the virus.

Many of these were announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the budget on March 11.

This includes a grant of up to £3,000 to businesses who are already exempt from paying business rates, to help them meet their costs.

However, two local bars are very worried for what is to come over the course over the next few months and beyond.

Daryl Leach, who runs Bunbury's in Chorley Old Road with his wife Sarah, told The Bolton News about how he thinks his business may cope.

He said: "We are trying to stick to the new rules as much as we can, but ideally we still want people to come and support us.

"We're just trying to do the best we can at the moment."

In an effort to keep their sales up they have launched a home delivery service for those who want to self-isolate but keep drinking Bunbury's ales.

They received two orders for home delivery soon after posting about the launch of this service on their social media.

However, Mr Leach conceded this may not be enough.

"There are few things in place for small businesses, the government have talked about some grants but this probably won't be enough."

Blackedge, Horwich, which opened a new bar only in September, is also worried about their business.

Wayne Roper, one of the founders of Blackedge Brewery, said: "It would have been much better if the Prime Minister had just said "we're closing you down" because we can plan for that.

"Now we just don't know what's going on."

He has already had to talk to his staff about temporary lay-offs and he doesn't know how long he will be able to keep their bars and breweries open ­— especially as no one knows how long this uncertainty will last.

"We have spent all day today sterilising everything and making sure it is as clean as possible.

"This week it would be nice if people did still come out to pubs. But next week the government needs to make a proper decision about what is going on so we can plan effectively for the future.

"There's not much help around at the moment. The future really is quite daunting at the moment."

He commented that government provisions are not enough for small businesses to cope in the long term, and that the government websites that his business have been pointed to in order to access grants etc. is not very clear at all.

Blackedge is also offering home delivery at this time to help themselves and customers cope.