The founder of Punch Taverns, Hugh Osmond, and the Night-Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord, commence legal action over different reopening times for non-essential retail and indoor hospitality.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Osmond claimed that the five weeks between Step 2 and Step 3 was “plainly irrational, unscientific and not based on evidence”.

He added: “When taking momentous and unprecedented actions affecting millions of its citizens, the Government must base its decisions on evidence, not prejudice, and should be held to account if it does not.”

Under the Government’s ‘roadmap’, non-essential retail outlets are set to be allowed to reopen on 12 April (‘Step 2’)

Hospitality venues will also be allowed to serve people outdoors from that date. However, indoor hospitality will only be allowed from ‘Step 3’, which will not be before 17 May.

Source: Local Government Lawyer