Desborough businessman's concerns after 'advice' not to visit pubs and restaurants

A Desborough restaurant owner says an announcement that Brits should avoid pubs and restaurants will put his businesses at serious risk unless they are ordered to close.

Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the public not to visit such venues in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus, which has now affected more than 1,500 people.

But he did not order pubs and restaurants to close - meaning they will not only face a loss in custom but will not be able to claim on their insurance.

Kris Malde, owner of the Ritz Complex and R Inn in Station Road, said he agrees that people should not be visiting pubs and restaurants but that the decision not to make closure mandatory will have a major impact.

He said that he will not be covered for loss of business unless there is a Government directive - with any closure currently deemed to be a decision taken by him - putting his business and locally-employed staff at risk.

He said: "I think it's a tough time for all businesses and things are going to get worse.

"I understand and agree with the measures that are being taken by the Government however in order to help businesses in the hospitality trade like mine these measures have to be made mandatory, not voluntary.

"It appears that the insurance companies will only look at loss of business claims if we are directed to close, not if we choose to close due to lack of custom. Even then there is no guarantee of any claim being settled."

He has now raised his concerns with Kettering MP Philip Hollobone, who in turn has raised the issue with financial secretary Jesse Norman MP.

Mr Hollobone said he expects a package of economic assistance to be announced shortly.

He said: “The Covid-19 outbreak is a public health emergency which will have potentially devastating effects on local small businesses such as Kris’s as customers stay away.

"I have acted swiftly to draw to the direct attention of Government ministers the plight of individual small businesses within the borough of Kettering and I anticipate a package of economic assistance to be announced by HM Government imminently.”