There was dismay amongst leaders of the hospitality industry in Gloucestershire at the Government's decision to extend the lockdown restrictions until mid-July.

Steve Gardner Collins, director of Visit Gloucestershire said:

"I think this is the end for many of our hospitality businesses - the wedding industry companies can't afford to pay their rents beyond the end of June.

"Enough is enough for many of them now. I think we are all being strung along. I cannot see why the furlough scheme is not going to be extended beyond the autumn/winter.

"We have reached the stage in our hospitality businesses that for those who have survived up until now this is the final nail in the coffin."

Ian Mean, Gloucestershire director of Business West, said: "Business, and especially the hospitality sector was expecting that the unlocking would be delayed until early July.

"But what we were not expecting is that the delay—until 19thJuly -would be as much as a month."

Asked if 19th July was a date that could be reversed, Boris Johnson told the press conference: "I am confident that 19thJuly is a terminal date."

That will still not provide confidence to the hospitality sector who will now be asking for more financial support to take them through this period.

Last night all the indications were that the furlough scheme which is keeping so many hospitality businesses from closure may not be extended beyond September.

Ian Mean added: "I think there is bound to be huge pressure to extend furlough and special payments to the hospitality and entertainment sector.

"And the picture was not any brighter when the Prime Minister told us that we 'cannot simply eliminate Covid-we must learn to live with it'.

"It's a gloomy outlook for many hospitality businesses who already feel they are on death row."

Gloucestershire MPs also expressed their concern. Mark Harper, MP for the Forest of Dean, tweeted: "Some good news for those 50,000 couples planning to marry in next 4 weeks... But...how many venues can take more guests if social distancing remains? While Regulations remain in force, they are legally bound to follow them and face legal action if they don't..."

And Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie, wrote: "Struggling to see the justification for delay to the road map or clarity on where all this will end. On weddings - appears restrictions will continue and main activities removed so relaxed guest numbers are welcome but they will not create a meaningful change for many families."