Pubs and restaurants across Renfrewshire face a struggle to survive after being told to bring forward last orders in a bid to halt coronavirus. 

The curfew – announced yesterday by the Scottish Government as part of tougher lockdown restrictions – comes into force on Friday.

However, while many within the hospitality industry agree action is needed to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases, there are fears a number of local businesses will struggle to survive.

Jamie Robertson, who runs Colliers Bar, in Johnstone town centre, told The Gazette: “I’m not too chuffed at the prospect of more lockdown restrictions.

“I understand the reasons but, speaking as a business owner, pubs seem to be getting the brunt of it compared to supermarkets and other places.

“It’s hard enough for pubs right now. More restrictions just make it tougher.

“My biggest concern right now is keeping everyone in a job, as the furlough scheme is going to end in October.”

Allan Henderson, chair of the Johnstone Business Consortium, wants more government support for traders affected by restrictions.

He said: “I think the places which will be most impacted by lockdown restrictions are smaller businesses, which are the backbone of the British economy.

“The government could reduce the overheads of a lot of these smaller businesses if they properly taxed big companies such as Amazon.”

A ban on meeting other people in their homes that was introduced in Renfrewshire earlier this month has now been extended to the whole of Scotland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government is determined to keep schools open, resume as many health services as possible and protect jobs.

She told MSPs at Holyrood that Covid-19 must be suppressed to ensure these priorities are met – meaning restrictions in other parts of everyday life will be “necessary.”