Last night, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged councils to cut the red tape to help the struggling pubs industry, which supports 900,000 jobs. He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘We’re all looking forward to seeing pubs, cafes and restaurants open again. Mr Jenrick relaxed rules last year so hospitality businesses could offer a takeaway service during the pandemic, while the Government also made it easier and less expensive to get an outdoor seating licence. Cheltenham council said that it offers hospitality businesses the ‘advice and support they need for their April opening’ and ‘turn [planning applications] around very quickly’. Meanwhile, hundreds of pubs and restaurants in Central London are facing £100 bills after Westminster Council forced businesses to re-apply for a pavement licence so they can offer alfresco dining.

Source: Daily Mail February 28, 2021 00:32 UTC