Last night the Government announced that London will fall into Tier 2, the “high” alert level, when the national lockdown is lifted on December 2.

However, the decision was met with mixed opinions, especially from Wandsworth Council, which suggested that the new rules could damage the borough’s hospitality venues beyond repair.

In Tier 2, when bars and pubs reopen, they can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Londoners must only go with members of their households or support bubbles.

There will be a one hour extension on the curfew for pubs and restaurants, so venues can remain open until 11pm.

However, Council Leader, Ravi Govindia, described the new restrictions as “poorly thought out” and damaging for Wandsworth’s economy.

He backed calls to ease trade restrictions faced by pubs and bars in a letter dispatched today (Nov 27), to Business Secretary Alok Sharma.

Cllr Govindia urged the Government to relax its approach to the hospitality industry, saying:

“The suite of measures that make up Tier 2 restrictions in London will create a very real challenge for the pubs and the wider hospitality sector.

“Wandsworth has been home to a brewing industry for nearly 200 years. It was in 1832 that Young’s started brewing on the banks of the Wandle. Brewing continues on that site today and for the survival of this historic link the brewed beer has to have an outlet. Tier 2 restrictions just do not allow that.

“Pubs are a huge part of the cultural make up of my borough, as it is across the country. In Wandsworth, hundreds of local jobs depend on these pubs remaining open.

Your Local Guardian:

“My personal experience has been that pubs have put in place all the right measures to create a COVID secure environment which in turn has helped people socialise safely, provide a degree of relaxation in these troubled times and helped their mental well-being.

“The approach taken by the Government fails to fully recognise risk to this economically vibrant sector how it will be greatly diminished by these continuing restrictions. I urge you to seek a review and reversal of this poorly thought out measure.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also voiced his disapproval with the Government’s ruling on pub curfews, saying:

"Whilst I welcome the Government's decision to place London in Tier 2, I am extremely disappointed that the Government is sticking with specific measures that seem to cause more harm than good," he said.

"I am pleased we managed to persuade the Government to get rid of the 10pm curfew but extending it to 11pm, when it should be scrapped altogether, is a mistake.

"It is a real blow to pubs, bars and restaurants who have endured such a difficult year and deserve better."