PUBS and restaurants across Maldon district could soon be open until midnight again if the Government agrees to a request by county councillors and MPs.

And the Tier 2 'High' level restrictions currently in place in the county could be lifted by 15 December, with the area moving back down to Tier 1 'Medium' level rules – just in time for Christmas – if current Covid-19 infection rates turn in the right direction.

The joint letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak was put together after council leaders met business leaders from across Essex earlier this week and heard what has been described as some "moving" testimonies from the local hospitality sector.

What the letter to Government asks for

The letter calls on the Government to:

• commit to an extension of the current business rates holiday for hospitality businesses and their suppliers subject to High tier restrictions

• extend the temporary 5 per cent reduced rate of VAT for hospitality, hotel and holiday accommodation businesses, and admissions to certain attractions from 12 January 2021 for at least a further three months

• extend the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for jobs in the hospitality sector, along with a request to return to the full CJRS that was in place in June and July 2020 for the hospitality sector

• introduce High local Covid alert level operating costs grants for businesses in the hospitality sector.

Steps to help all businesses affected by the Tier 2 restrictions

Council leaders have also asked for specific steps to help all types of businesses affected by the imposition of Tier 2 'High' level restrictions in the county, which began on Saturday, 17 October.

These steps include:

• putting in place a stronger safety net to protect start-ups and the self-employed who are also being hit hard

• ensuring banks are able to offer Coronavirus Business Investment Loans over 10 years, in compliance with State Aid rules

• providing additional funding via the Business Improvement Districts scheme for businesses in High local Covid alert level areas

• the 10pm curfew on hospitality venues should be removed or extended to at least 12pm.

Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Councillor Tony Ball, said: "We understand the added pressure that moving into High local Covid alert has placed on local businesses and we want to act to address this.

"By reaching out to the Government now, we want to engage ministers positively on measures which would offer real support to businesses through what everyone recognises are very difficult circumstances.

"We think our asks are reasonable and right for businesses across the county."