Millions of pounds worth of food could go to waste as London enters Tier 3

Millions of pounds worth of food could go to waste as London enters Tier 3

Food could go to waste as a result of the government’s move to put London in tier 3 at midnight tomorrow.

Millions of pounds worth of food is expected to go to waste as all bars and restaurants will be forced to close, although they can offer takeaway and delivery services.

Restaurateurs are feeling the devastating blow as Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year.

In tier 2 household groups of less than six were able to eat together in restaurants and even drink in bars, provided the alcohol was accompanied by a “substantial meal.”

After the November lockdown, several restaurateurs told City A.M. bookings were healthy, with some restaurants fully booked in the run-up to Christmas. But now many will struggle to shift their seasonal produce, especially City-based and central London restaurants, which tend to see less takeaway business.

“The amount of food going to waste as a result of the lack of warning we’ve had is devastating,” says Tom Warren, founder of Wild by Tart.

David Moore, owner of Pied à Terre, told City A.M.: “Thousands of pounds worth of food and drink will go to waste as fridges full of food are emptied.”

Restaurants now have to give the food away or throw it in the bin. One restaurant owner said “thousands of pounds” worth of food is going to waste and it is now working with charity Only A Pavement Away to distribute its surplus food to the homeless.

There have been calls across the hospitality sector for the introduction of a new hospitality minister to help steer the industry through its biggest crisis since WW2.

Industry bodies warn there is a ticking time bomb on the horizon when the moratorium on rent enforcement is eased at the end of March.

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