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London restaurant bosses toast rise in bookings but say industry is ‘on its knees’

<p>Matt Hancock’s announcement sent diners scrambling to book tables at their favourite venues </p> (Getty Images)

Matt Hancock’s announcement sent diners scrambling to book tables at their favourite venues

(Getty Images)

London’s restaurateurs were today celebrating a remarkable surge in Christmas bookings but warned the industry was still “on its knees”.

Matt Hancock’s announcement yesterday that London would be classified Tier 2 — allowing restaurants and some pubs to reopen — sent diners scrambling to book tables at their favourite venues from Wednesday.

Sunny Hodge, owner of Diogenes the Dog, in Elephant and Castle, said: “Within minutes of hearing the announcement our emails were ringing with delight, long-awaited bookings streamed in. It felt like the first few drops of rain after a long drought.”

However, many hospitality bosses said the industry was still facing a tough festive period as Tier 2 restrictions effectively ban office parties and social drinking at “wet-led” bars.

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It also means only customers from the same household are allowed to dine together indoors. Up to six people from different households can meet outside but drinks can only be served with “substantial meals” and businesses must close before 11pm.

Landlords have also warned that many pubs, especially establishments which don’t serve food, will not survive. James Robson, chairman of Fallow and founder of Mews of Mayfair, said: “We have taken over 3,000 bookings for December in the last week. But the industry is on its knees.”

Matthew Carver, founder of The Cheese Bar and Pick and Cheese in Seven Dials, said he was “cautiously optimistic about the month ahead”.

David Moore, owner of Pied à Terre, said: “The numbers suggest we should be in Tier 1 but there is this feeling that we should be grateful to be open at all.”

The rules have baffled bosses, who have not been told why Covid is less likely to circulate in establishments that have kitchens than ones that do not.

Gary Murphy, of the Mitre Inn, Barnet, and director of the Campaign for Pubs, will be serving meals for the first time in a bid to save his business.

He said: “Christmas is over for me and a lot of other drink-led pubs. It’s just about survival now.”

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