Last Night Was First And Last Eve Out For A Drink.......:(

[Smowball]

We haven’t been out in god knows how long, but after watching the latest lockdown speech Mr Smow said *** it, let’s go out for a drink as god knows when we next can! So we grabbed a taxi and went to a pub we haven’t been to for ages - quite a big one too.
Well it was so sad - they were only letting in a couple of people at a time and then told you where to sit. You couldn’t go to the bar - they brought your drink to you.
Most staff were almost in tears, and the young guy who brought our drinks was actually crying as he said “Make the most of them as they’ll be your last ones for quite a while... just can’t believe we’ve got to close.”
I really felt for him and his colleagues.....the atmosphere was so sad.
Came out of there thoroughly miserable - almost wished we hadn’t gone out now.

[eve1974]

Wow :(

Feel so sad for all the small businesses (pubs amongst them) and associated staff. This will close many doors permanently

[Smowball]

You’re right Eve - it will :(

[Apc2604]

We went for our first and last meal out since March on Wednesday. I have been quite ill recently and dining with two close friends cheered me up so much. Now back to shielding! It's now become my lifestyle.

[Sunk]

Think yourself lucky that you are not in Tier 3.
You’d have had to buy a substantial meal each for the privilege of having a couple of drinks.

[237SJ]

I`m hitting the town on Wednesday for the last night of freedom. Drinks in the pub and then dinner elsewhere. I was going to go to one of the large chains for Italian but have decided to go to an independent as they will probably be struggling.

[Prudie]

I'd have cried too, in fact I was near to tears last night when this was announced - not for me as it will have little effect on me personally - but for the millions it will affect, families, small businesses, tourism sector particularly. And to be honest because of the demographic of AB I wonder if that's why so many on here are so supportive of these measures because the impact on them will not be putting them in financial ruin.

[Smowball]

We have a parade of shops within walking distance - many of them simply won’t recover from this here in London .

[237SJ]

^ Probably. And those that hate christmas are quite happy to see everybody else's christmas shafted as well.

[eve1974]

I do wonder if a lot (no, not all)of those in favour of lockdown are living without many financial worries ot are entitled to furlough. During the last lockdown many (again NOT all) seemed to view it as a paid home-vacation. The implications for small businesses are mega! And for the big businesses who will now surely lay off people

[Smowball]

I imagine online shopping will go thru the roof

[burlyshirley]

12:37 couldn't have put it better myself.

I'd have been devastated if I saw staff crying like that at the pub Smo went to, but sadly as usual the doom and gloom merchants and the scaremongers have won again !

[Bobbisox1]

Our local rag online appears to delight in scaremongering

[Cloverjo]

Jee, it’s so sad. Down here in the SW we’ve had hardly any cases of Covid, but everything has to shut up again. My son was going to come down for this weekend but can’t now.

We’re doing Christmas no matter what, unless they put up roadblocks. I’ll pay a fine.

[pastafreak]

It was announced on the local news last night that there had been 2 deaths in the South West...one in Somerset, another in Plymouth. I know I'll not be visiting my daughter nor will they come down here as long as London is bordering on tier 3.

[rockyracoon]

I feel exactly the same way as Prudie. I am so incredibly angry over the whole thing. Watching the light in your eldest child's eyes go out as he gets rejection after rejection for jobs is thoroughly depressing. He's 21 and just graduated with a first in computer science. He should be enjoying himself. My daughter is at university, not getting the education she is paying for. Nans and grandads are dying. Businesses are going to the wall. There will be a housing crisis of monumental proportions in the next year or so, once the reality of no income starts to bite. And on and on it goes.

I want to scream.

[rockyracoon]

Oh yes, and my poor dad waiting 9 months for a triple heart bypass which should be happening in the next 2-3 weeks. I bet it doesn't now.

[burlyshirley]

So do I rocky ..

[burlyshirley]

^ want to scream, I mean.

[rockyracoon]

Shall we scream together and bring the whole house down ;0)

[burlyshirley]

Good idea x