Nottinghamshire to ban alcohol sales after 9pm in Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions

Alcohol sales at shops will be banned after 9 pm as Nottinghamshire moves into the Tier 3 restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the county council has confirmed.

All councils in Nottinghamshire have agreed to move together into restrictions for the city of Nottingham and the county at one minute past midnight on Friday 30 October.

Councils had previously been told the measures would only affect the city, Broxtowe, Rushcliffe and Gedling council areas.

The ban on alcohol sales is part of the additional measures proposed by the council leaders, alongside the general restrictions associated with Tier 3.

“Alcohol sales must be prohibited after 9pm where alcohol is purchased to consume off premises, for example shops. Alcohol can continue to be purchased in hospitality venues where accompanying a substantial meal, up until 10pm,” the county council said in a statement.

The Associations of Convenience Stores (ACS) has expressed disappointment at the decision.

“We are disappointed that these additional restrictions on the sale of alcohol after 9pm are being introduced in Nottinghamshire with very short notice, which will likely lead to confusion from customers and significant stress for colleagues in stores,” commented James Lowman, ACS chief executive.

He warned that the move could lead to theft and violence against the shop staff.

“There is a real risk that theft of alcohol will increase where it is not able to be shuttered or locked down, and we are extremely concerned about the increased risk of confrontation between customers and colleagues,” Lowman said.

Leaders in Nottingham have also criticised the government for the confusion surrounding the announcement.

The government has initially planned to move the area to Tier 3 on Thursday, but it was delayed to include the whole of Nottinghamshire.

“Earlier this week I described the Government’s communications with Notts’ MPs and Councils as woeful. But in the last 24 hours things have gone from bad to worse,” Lilian Greenwood, the Labour MP for Nottingham South, said Wednesday.

“Businesses can’t plan ahead and all the while we’re seeing more people admitted to hospital with Covid and now operations being cancelled. The Government’s failure to act and act promptly is shocking.”

In a statement, Councillor David Mellen, the leader of Nottingham City Council said: “Unacceptable delay in Government confirmation of Nottingham’s Tier 3 details.

“Nottingham people and businesses deserve clarity in difficult times. This is not good enough for our city.”

The restrictions will be in place for 28 days and will be kept under review.

Kit Sandeman of the Local Democracy Reporting Service contributed to this report.