NEW coronavirus restrictions introduced for the hospitality sector this week will be a “devastating blow” to the industry, according to one long-standing business owner.

Pubs and restaurants are being forced to shut their doors from 10pm every day from tomorrow (Friday) as Scotland continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses already hit hard are set to face more troubling times after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the stricter measures on Tuesday.

Stirling Stewart, who owns the Nether Abbey Hotel in North Berwick, described the new measures and restrictions as a “devastating blow” to the hospitality industry.

He said: “I think it will make life very, very difficult operationally and certainly have an effect on prospective employment.

“In terms of table service we have been doing that for two months now, no one has been allowed to go up to the bar for over two months.

“We’ve also been doing track and trace right from the start.

“We’ll try our very best to keep sticking to the rules and the guidance.”

Mr Stewart added that the 10pm curfew would have a severe effect on venues that were typically open till late.

Paul Kinnoch, from Haddington’s Tyneside Tavern and Mazzoli Italian Kitchen, shared Mr Stewart’s concerns and felt that the next few weeks were going to be “telling” in how things moved forward.

He encouraged people to stick to the restrictions in place.

Mr Kinnoch told the Courier both businesses had been closing at 10pm but suspected the earlier closing time could impact pubs more than restaurants.

He said: “When we first started opening up, we created the piazza and it was all going well. We had things in place like the one-way system, which worked well.

“Obviously, as the weather changed and got a bit cooler we had the wind for two weeks and that did not help matters with outdoors.

“We are seeing more people not booking to eat inside but with the change in the weather there has been a of loss of trade for outdoors.

“We are looking into that and going to get a side panel put onto the piazza.

“Everybody knows this is not going to go away this year and there are still going to be social distancing measures in place.

“We are not going to have as many tables indoors as we did before lockdown.”

Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian MP, described the announcement as “disappointing but necessary”.

He said: “Health must be the priority, but action needs taken on our economy. It’ll not be easy, but it can and must be done.

“Some sectors couldn’t operate, and others will require to cease work.

“The Prime Minister and First Minter are at one on health action but the levers on the economy are largely with Westminster.

“The furlough scheme must be extended to stop businesses crashing and unemployment rising.

“If we’re to endure for maybe six months as the Prime Minister suggests then there must be support for jobs and businesses.”

But some hospitality businesses in the county have said the new restrictions will not affect them.

Michelle Wilson, owner of the Prestoungrange Gothenburg pub on Prestonpans High Street, said that the new changes would not massively impact the way her business currently operated.

The Goth is typically open noon-11pm but will now need to shut an hour earlier.

She said: “I’m quite happy if I’m honest [with the new restrictions].

“We are very quiet after 10pm anyway so are going to benefit closing that little bit earlier.

“With the table service thing, that’s a little more challenging. We have a restaurant and a bar at the moment that we have to manage so we will need to be more observant.”

One change is that the business will be unable to show town boxer Josh Taylor’s fight with Apinun Khongsong on Saturday evening, as the action will be after the curfew.

In Gullane, Dominic Campanile, from The Old Clubhouse, said Tuesday’s announcement “would not make a blind bit of difference”.

He said: “When our food finishes it is all over for us and we are done by 10pm most nights.

“There will be a little bit of an impact at the weekend.”

Restrictions have hindered the number of visitors from mainland Europe and the USA making their way to East Lothian during the traditionally busy summer season.

But Mr Campanile added there had been “a noticeable increase in domestic tourism”, with people venturing north of the Border.

The changes come at the same time as the county is gearing up for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which tees off next Thursday (October 1) at The Renaissance Club.

Already, it has been confirmed that members of the paying public will not be able to line the fairways.

However, there were suggestions that a limited number of invited guests would be at the course.

A spokeswoman for the European Tour said: “Discussions are ongoing with the Scottish Government and we will provide any update in due course.”