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Oldham pub closed down after repeated breaches of social distancing guidelines. @OldhamCouncil sd the Granby Arms pub in Uppermill had had up to 100 people drinking outside and opened for drinkers when all other pubs were closed during the lockdown. https://twitter.com/bbcnwt/status/1296480591328808960?s=12

HSADD says: WHY o WHY, do certain premises decide to drag the rest of the hardworking pubs and clubs into the press like this??!! It is hard enough to even break even and staying within the rules without every member of the public believing that all operators are just there to break the rules. On this occasion, I can find zero sympathies for the DPS and owners here.

HSADD Ltd with it’s software solutions to help venues has had to watch and take part in this COVID infection, we have not been able to trade the same with 70% of our business directly being the night time economy.

When the 23rd March arrived and within 3 days we did nothing but get cancellation notices for Direct Debit. Did it hurt, absolutely, Did we demand part-payments, holding fees etc – absolutely NOT, we totally understand the stress venues are up against.

Did we sit back? NO I through my knowledge behind the likes of #NDML and #NTIA and Mike Kill as I could see the work they were putting in to help independent venues, the very source of my knowledge for the past 30+ years. Venues needed help, guidance, encouragement and most of all more than a small number needed to just talk it through!.

We, with our software partners. MYSMARTBAR was designed and built the table service App from scratch, the only requirement we made was that it MUST be affordable for every small or large venue. This was achieved and the system is now live and running.

We adapted ISITCHECKED to help venues with our system to handle Track and Trace, our Clients paid nothing extra for this – WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU, is becoming more like a moto!

The bottom line is that we at HSADD Ltd have been side by side with many venues, I have spoken to numerous operators some for just practical operational advice, some needing a sympathetic ear, some even more desperate, hopefully at the end of each and every conversation, I sensed that I had helped the person in some way or other.

Message to #NDML #NTIA and all venue operators, whilst it’s tough-going now BUT when this is over you will have pushed through your most difficult time in history!

Here we are In August 2020, the Lockdown was placed around 23rd March 2020 and for all the bars, night-clubs, bowling alley’s, restaurants and the like it has been the most miserable time ever.

I have spoken to owners and operators who have been close to tears having placed 100’s thousands GBP plus untold hours which have been lost track of! There is now no sign of an end to this as COVID-19 continues to cause chaos, with venues planning to open only to be told the day before NO!

After working in this industry for over 30 years and only selling in 2018 I feel for these operators and owners, I feel the pain for the staff involved all of who treat this industry as more than a ‘Job’, you have to have a special skill set to be an owner/Manager, work a busy venue as security or sales staff it takes a certain skill!, A perseverance, empathy the ability to listen and not judge.

I have said for a while, (Since April) that the entire industry needs to be ‘reset’, that includes Landlord Rent, Business rates, IF this doesn’t happen you will never catch up, you will be worried about ever-mounting debts that due to restrictions – the venue cannot possibly catch up!

Now Mayor Andy Burnham has said, “There is a growing amount of evidence that pubs are one of the main places where this virus spreads.” He further states  “You can’t safely open schools with pubs open as well, with that level of performance.” in relation to Track and Trace – You can clearly see that the ‘BLAME the bars’ rhetoric is starting to build. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-53714874

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS AN OWNER /OPERATOR

You HAVE to follow the guidelines, no matter how you feel about them whether it’s ‘Social distancing’, ‘Track and Trace’, ‘Table service App’ IF it’s in the rules/guidelines you leave yourself wide open for further kicks in the (You know where) if you don’t!

I have spoken to numerous venues and operators and listened to the reasons they don’t believe they ‘need’ to follow the ‘Guidelines’, from ‘lack of interaction with customers and staff’, ‘The are only guidelines’, ‘our customers are only young and less vulnerable’ This will NOT work when the crap hits the fan and they trace an outbreak back to your venue!! They will be on you like a ton of bricks and you will be closed!

HSADD Ltd has three products to help venues stay compliant

MYSMARTBAR provides a Table service developed specifically to help Bars, restaurants, takeaways and venues get back on their feet by charging only 1p per order and £99 setup fee. This includes Track & Trace built-in.

ISITCHECKED Provides a real-time checklist which can be adapted to any scenario and can be used for Track & Trace independently, this keeps a full record of all the things you are doing to remain compliant. When EHO or the Police call there is nothing better than full digital records to defend your venue.

Compliance Management – This is a fully integrated cloud-based Health & Safety package that covers staff training through to Fire risk assessment and maintenance records.

The last word, I have over 30 years at running a busy and ‘difficult’ venue in Liverpool City Centre, there is little that I have not had experience with, dealt with, resolved over that time, IF I can help I will, the call and my time will not cost you a penny – but could save you thousands!