New lockdown fears leave Brummies on the back foot

Founders in England’s second city are worried about the threat of reimposed restrictions

Having weathered the first lockdown, Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam fears he would not be able to cope with a second. Islam, 40, runs the Opheem Indian restaurant and Pulperia, an Argentinian eatery, in the city centre. He has been able to stay afloat thanks to furloughing staff and taking a bounce-back loan, but with the job retention scheme being wound down — and no hint yet from the Treasury that it could be reintroduced or extended to cover areas hit by a second wave of the coronavirus — Islam and his 100 staff would have to survive on the proceeds of low footfall at his restaurants.

Miss Macaroon‘s View

Read the full article here (PAYWALL): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-lockdown-fears-leave-brummies-on-the-back-foot-x69ssmddj