'It makes us feel an awful lot better' - Hartlepool restaurants react to new Tier 2 business support

Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a package of extra help worth billions of pounds on Thursday, October 22.

It includes grants of up to £2,100 a month for firms in Tier 2 areas such as Hartlepool, primarily aimed at helping hospitality and leisure venues which have seen takings plummet due to restrictions on households mixing.

The Job Support Scheme, which replaces the furlough system from November 1, will be made more generous with staff required to do just 20% of their hours to be eligible compared to a third previously.

And employee top-up contributions to wages for unworked hours are being massively reduced from 33% to just 5%.

Philippa Lambert Shaheen, manager of Mary Lambert bakery and fish and chip restaurant in Hartlepool town centre, said the new measures will make a big difference and provide more certainty for the immediate future.

Footfall for the restaurant in Villiers Street has dropped dramatically during the pandemic.

Philippa said: “It will definitely help and takes the pressure off. Every time there’s a new announcement [on restrictions] we get less customers.

"People are so unsure about what they can and can’t do.

"I’m so glad that the Tier 2 business restrictions have actually been acknowledged.”

She also welcomed the changes to the new Job Support Scheme as it will enable the businesses to keep all of their 17 staff.

"Each week that went by everything was more uncertain,” said Philippa. “It makes us feel an awful lot better.

"This gives us the money to retain all our staff over winter and hopefully trade will return to a bit more normality maybe towards Easter.”

Funding will be provided to local councils for the new business grants which vary from £934 per month to £2,100 according to firms’ rateable values.

They can be backdated to August.

Ken Hedley, of the Lock Gates bar and grill on Hartlepool marina, said: “That’s not too bad. I would say we have lost £500 to £600 a week so £2,000 is probably on par with what we have lost over September and this month.”

He said he will certainly look into applying for the grants.

Darab Rezai, chairman of Hartlepool Licensing Association, and owner of Harbour View marina restaurant and take-out, added: “We welcome every support that the council gets.

"Travelling around I have seen a lot of bars and restaurants in various places closing down. It’s crucial to make sure people’s jobs survive.

“A lot of hospitality have got young members of staff or are on family credit and cannot do without the 20 or 30 hours, so it’s great.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he is pleased the Chancellor has listened to businesses’ concerns and acted after lobbying for greater support.

He said: “The support given to businesses across the region throughout the pandemic has saved hundreds of small and medium sized companies and thousands of jobs.

"This fresh support for workers and businesses will save even more.”

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