Tom Kitchin: Scotland’s most decorated chef slams new tiered lockdown as ‘catastrophic’ in message to Nicola Sturgeon

Restrictions on restaurants included in Level 3 of the Scottish Government’s new tiered lockdown system have been slammed by Edinburgh restaurateur Tom Kitchin this afternoon.

The new Level 3 measures will allow restaurants in the Capital, which have been closed since mid-September, reopen from Monday, November 2.

But the restrictions, which will also come into force across Scotland’s central belt and in Dundee, will ban hospitality businesses from serving alcohol to customers.

From next week, restaurants in Level 3 areas will close at 6pm, with last entry at 5pm.

Taking to twitter to vent his anger and the rules, Scotland’s most decorated chef told the First Minister the impact of the ban on serving alcohol would be “catastrophic”.

“Dear ⁦Nicola Sturgeon,” he wrote, “We all want to drive the virus down & we will work within restrictions BUT to not allow serving alcohol in restaurants is catastrophic.

“We need these sales to help pay staff & our suppliers.

“This is serious. Help retain Scottish hospitality & tourism.”

Taking to twitter to vent his anger and the rules, Scotland’s most decorated chef told the First Minister the impact of the ban on serving alcohol would be “catastrophic”.

His call for help from the Scottish Government was backed by fellow celebrity chef Nick Nairn, who retweeted his message to the First Minister, adding: “What he said…”

Along with Edinburgh and the Lothians, the Level 3 restrictions will impact restaurants in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling and Dundee.

Last month the Scottish Government imposed a temporary closure of pubs and licensed restaurants across Scotland’s central belt, which Mr Kitchin said unfairly “picked on” the industry.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.