For the last lockdown there was a grant up to 3k for the month, dependant on business rates you pay.
We are waiting for confirmation if support will be ongoing for level 2 since lockdown was lifted and tiers reintroduced - our local council is still waiting to hear from government.
So right now if people are closed in level 2 that’s because the business is just not viable to open with the restrictions in place currently, but they are choosing to do this with no government grants confirmed yet.
We have gone from a business that easily turns over half a million a year, to one that this year has turned over 150k this year.
Obviously a loss through direct lockdowns, but with every increase in restrictions we have seen a drop in trade.
We have had to make the decision today to drop 3 days a week trading, as we loose to much by opening these days, we will still be loosing by being closed, but loosing less.
But it’s a hard decision to weight up, we still need to keep all of our cellar equipment on for the whole week, our fridges and freezers, etc etc, still need to pay rent, FOT fees.
But means we save slightly by not having a chef in, a kitchen on, heating and lighting.
Highly unlikely that furlough is making owners and leaseholders say closed, even if they are eligible for it.
Just means they are most likely loosing less by being shut completely/partly than opening.