Cancellations, but no Government help, are leaving the West’s hotels, restaurants and pubs on the edge, says Metro Mayor, Dan Norris.

He says: "It has been a week since the lockdown by stealth began. Last Sunday, the PM addressed the nation with a gloomy statement announcing Plan B. Three days later, the message from England’s top doctor Chris Whitty to stay at home unless it really mattered, heightened concerns.

"Meanwhile, deeply concerning Omicron statistics show cases doubling every two days in the South West.

"With no official rules requiring businesses to close down, they are stuck in limbo. After a lengthy Cabinet meeting today the Prime Minister expressed “regret” for the hospitality industry, but no financial support."

The Metro Mayor says he has heard from many local hoteliers, restaurateurs and publicans who fear for the future. He reports some restaurants have seen cancellations of half of their bookings, demand at hotels significantly reduced and pubs quieter than expected.

The Clifton Group in Bristol report this week they are looking at 25% occupancy when it would normally be around 85% and new bookings for dates in the future have completely dried up. Natasha Hayes from the Clifton Group said: “We’re very concerned that New Year’s Eve won’t go ahead, which is extremely challenging. The busy period leading up to Christmas and NYE are crucial to restaurants as they go a long way to help off-set the losses that we then incur in January and February when demand is weak.”

Sarah Arikan, Owner and Hotel Manager of Berwick Lodge in South Gloucestershire has lost two high profile company bookings in December, one with just three days notice.

Joe Couzens, a pub Operator in Bath, who runs The Locksbrook Inn, Malborough Tavern, The Moorfields and the Hare and Hounds also reports that trade is down saying: “As you can imagine, the arrival of Omicron and the Government messages have had a major impact on trade. It’s extremely disheartening; just over two weeks ago our Christmas party bookings were pretty much at pre-pandemic levels and we were gearing up for a strong trading period, now we’re getting cancellation after cancellation.

"It takes a huge amount of hard work to manage and convert all those bookings and enquiries – my wife oversees it all and works tirelessly for several weeks in the run up to the Christmas season. She’s been in tears several times as she’s seen all that hard work unravelling.”

Metro Mayor Dan Norris says he has been calling on the Chancellor for over a week to step up and provide a package of support. He said: “As the PM is dithering, restaurants, pubs and hotels are withering. A week is a long time in politics, but it doesn’t seem to be long enough for the Chancellor to come up with a plan. The hospitality sector needs help right now. The package can be time limited but while we all get jabbed, businesses need a booster of their own.”