How bars and restaurants reacted to St Helens being moved into Tier 3 – as they prepared for New Year's Eve

Matt Hancock announced on Wednesday that St Helens was moving up into Tier 3, just as many venues were planning ahead for the New Year's Eve celebrations on Thursday.

Tables were booked, supplies bought in and staff scheduled to work.

The change of tiers, following rising Covid-19 infection rates, meant those restaurants and bars, had to swiftly scrap their plans, although there is the option of operating takeaway or delivery services.

One venue, the Griffin, in Eccleston said it had donated any food that would not keep to the Hope Centre.

News of the tier change left many in the hospitality trade, after such an arduous year, shattered.

Here is how some of the venues took to social media to react.

The Dean, on Barrow Street posted on Wednesday

Unfortunately we have to close and cancel NYE tomorrow (Thursday)...

Eddie and I are numb at the minute..

Chefs have been in all day today prepping for tomorrow... fuming is an understatement!!

WHY didn’t he announce yesterday so the hospitality industry didn’t spend a fortune on food and staff prepping for NYE.

We’ve had some beautiful messages from our customers. I can’t stop crying with the message , you are all amazing...We really hope we can come back from this.

All deposits for tomorrow will be refunded.

And all January deposits, would you transfer to Feb? (Hopefully)

We really appreciate all your support.

But the main thing is, you remain safe.

Take care and see you in Feb

Ps... we are still planning to open SMOKEHOUSE in Feb.

The Sticky Wicket, Ruskin Drive posted

Huge thanks to everybody who has supported us throughout what has been an extremely difficult 2020. It has been a year unlike any other; we wish you all the very best and look forward to a time when we can welcome you again

La Casa Veja, Bickerstaffe Street wrote

We are saddened that tonight we have to close at such short notice,

Our chef mano and our team have worked so hard and have been prepping for this weekend, we have bought produce and filled the bar with imported wines and cava, we where all ready for new years eve!!

BUT

After the year we have had we will not let this get us down, we will keep pushing forward like we always have as a family, our casa family!!

We are overwhelmed by the messages received tonight and we have done our upmost best to make sure we can fulfil all orders made for tomorrow!!

We will deliver you your Spanish fiesta meals and hopefully you enjoy your new years evening at home

We are truly humbled by everyone's continued support and kind words

whole heartedly from our casa to yours we wish everyone all the best!! let's hope 2021 is a better year for us all, we wouldn't have got through this without your support!!

Because of this Spain is still in st helens

#27years

Thank you

The Griffin, Eccleston wrote today

Thanks for the messages of help, support and concern. The last minute notice from Boris meant we had food ordered in for a fully booked pub and two full sittings in our restaurant. We hate waste here and always donate when we can locally, so I’ve just delivered any food that would not keep to the Hope centre in St.Helens for the homeless.

I was was only there a short while but witnessed the demand for the service and the help that is being given. Another donation will be collected by Teardrops on Monday. A reminder to me that although the year has been tough we still have a roof over our heads and food in our fridge. Wishing you all the best for the New Year, take care of yourselves and see you at some point in 2021.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of our customers for their support throughout difficult times and thank the staff for their hard work and commitment in recent weeks. Happy New Year from all at The Griffin Inn and stay safe. #publife #donate #sthelens #localpub