Brighton Pier Group boss attacks ‘failing' lockdown strategy as company posts loss

The Brighton Pier Group attacked the Government's lockdown strategy on Monday as it reported a loss.

The company operates the arcades and other attractions at Brighton Palace Pier, eight indoor mini golf sites trading under the Paradise island Adventure Golf brand, and 12 premium bars around the country - including Chelsea's Embargo Republica and Le Fez in Putney.

It reported a £2.1 million pre-tax loss in the year to June 28, compared to a £2.7 million profit the previous year. Turnover dropped to £22.6 million in the period, down from £32 million.

Chairman Luke Johnson said that trading to the end of September had exceeded expectations, but the company warned that "continuing lockdowns and trade restrictions mean our results for the current financial year ending 27 June 2021 will be materially impacted".  

Johnson said: "It is profoundly disappointing to me that the government continues with its failing strategy of lockdowns.

"The loss of jobs, toll on mental health, harm to education, the national finances and treatment of other illnesses will cause vastly more hardship than the virus itself."  

The Government has said that its lockdown strategy is  necessary to ensure the NHS is not overwhelmed. 

The company had already laid off staff in its bars division ahead of the furlough scheme ending, with all management and staff taking pay cuts during the first lockdown.

It said that the latest four-week lockdown was "not unexpected" and that its impact "in all three divisions will be mitigated to a large degree by the extension of the furlough scheme to the end of  November".

Brighton Pier chief executive Anne Ackord said "the group is well placed to resume normal trading at the earliest opportunity."

The company will not issue a dividend for the 2019 financial year.