The beloved Luton pub and music venue that might 'close doors for good'
"If we close that's pretty much Luton's music scene gone"
Oliver PriceTrainee Reporter
The Castle Tavern, Luton (Image: The Castle Tavern)
A popular pub and live music venue in Luton, Bedfordshire, may have to permanently close because of Tier 2 Covid restrictions and 'lack of government support'.
The manager of the Castle Tavern, in Castle Street, said "there is not enough support" to help pubs and some venues survive during lockdown.
The pub is a key hotspot in Luton's music scene and holds twice weekly gigs and events in normal times.
The venue has hosted hundreds of bands and musicians over the years and is an important grassroots venue in the county and beyond.
Manager Connor Willis, 25, said: "If we close that's pretty much Luton's music scene gone.
"We know that The Castle is a very beloved pub in the area but it's gone past the point of 'when are we going to open?'
"It's now 'are we going to survive?'
"Do we need to close our doors for good?"
He said the pub was ineligible for arts grants issued by the government because it does not run enough shows in a week.
"Like many other pubs there is not enough support at the moment for us," he added.
"We don't qualify for any funding so we are literally on our own at the moment."
He added: "I know there's probably about six or seven pubs [in Luton] in the exact same situation."
Tier 2 pub rules: Scotch egg counts as a 'substantial meal', says minister
Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin accuses Government of 'reckless decision' to reopen pubs
The pub has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help stay afloat which has so far raised over £1,000.
Mr Willis said: "Luckily we've got this crowdfunding that's coming though and people buying stock from us which we basically need to sell to survive.
"From a staff point of view, this has now become a very uncertain time, very unstable."
He added that during the first lockdown other venues had already had to close their doors permanently.
He said: "We just need more financial support, if we had just a little bit more then we would be able to get through - that's all we need.
"They're paying your staff's wages, but it's not covering the rest of the costs."
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said: "We understand the pressure businesses are currently under, particularly the hospitality industry. These restrictions, which are reviewed every 14 days, are essential so we can control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.
"The Prime Minister announced that 'wet-led pubs' in Tiers 2 and 3 will also receive a £1,000 Christmas grant. This is in addition to a wide-ranging package of financial support we have put in place worth £280 billion, including the extension of the furlough scheme until March 2021, grants of up to £3,000 for businesses required to close in Tiers 2 and 3, various loan schemes, a business rates holiday and VAT deferrals to help business through this period."
If you want to contribute to the crowdfunder click here.
Pubs in Hertfordshire
TescoLatest Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, Morrisons and Waitrose rules on touching things in storesIt's vital that we're all mindful of what we touch
Storm Christoph to strike Hertfordshire as UK yellow weather warning issued by Met Office
Aston Martin driver arrested after crash kills man and puts another in hospital
Hertfordshire ConstabularyThe road was shut for several hours after the collision