By Samuel Indyk
Investing.com – Shares in companies in the UK restaurant sector were under pressure on Thursday as details on the UK government plans to reopen pubs began to surface.
At midday, Marston’s PLC (LON:MARS) shares were down 2.6%, Mitchells & Butlers (LON:MAB) shares were down 3.1% and J D Wetherspoon PLC (LON:JDW) was down 2.5%.
Papers for the Pub
The plans - nicknamed Papers for the Pub by critics – have come under scrutiny after the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested pub landlords would be able to require that patrons need vaccines to be allowed in.
Politico has confirmed with a government source that the government is considering allowing pubs to operate as normal if they can prove that none of their customers are infectious, be that from a previous negative test or proof of vaccination.
What have people said?
Conservative MP and member of the COVID Recovery Group Steve Baker has been vocal against the plans, arguing it would discriminate against pregnant women and create a “two-tier Britain.
Jonathan Neame, the CEO of pub chain Shepherd Neame, said his company would not insist on vaccine certificates as the essence of pubs is that they are “diverse and inclusive environments”.
On the other hand, Peter Marks of nightclub owner Deltic Group was not overly critical of the idea, saying it “could work” for the sector.
Controversial Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has yet to comment on the latest plans but has previously criticised the UK government at almost every step on their plans for the restaurant industry. Just this week, Martin claimed it was “crazy” that indoor drinking inside pubs would still be banned throughout April.
Kate Nicholls, the CEO of UK Hospitality, said the sector should not be "subject to mandatory vaccination certification".
A review on the use of vaccine passports is scheduled next month but the likelihood of any introduction will probably be months away.