BRADFORD Council bosses and MPs fear ‘many businesses will simply fold and cut their losses’ after the district’s Tier 3 status was confirmed.

West Yorkshire, including Bradford, will be placed into the very high Tier 3 category of Covid restrictions from 00.01am on Wednesday, December 2, following Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s announcement in the House of Commons.

The Tier 3 restrictions include people can socialise in a group of up to 6 in some outdoor public spaces, can attend Covid-safe places of worship but must avoid mingling and non-essential retail can reopen.

Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they can continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services. Hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close.

Indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close, but gyms and other sport and leisure centres can open.

Bradford Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, fears many of the district’s businesses will fold unless a Government cash boost is injected.

She said: “Our infection rates are going down so I welcome the opportunity of a regular review of these arrangements so that we can exit as soon as possible.

“The risk is, even with furlough, that many businesses will simply fold and cut their losses.

“But Bradford and West Yorkshire are going to need significant investment going forward to support businesses and jobs. I’m already making the case to Government.”

Meanwhile, Bradford district MPs criticised the new restrictions, which Shipley’s Philip Davies branded ‘absolutely catastrophic’.

Mr Davies says Tier 3 will be the final straw for many firms in the district and is ‘absolutely catastrophic’ for the hospitality sector.

MPs will have the chance to vote either for or against the Tier restrictions in Parliament next Tuesday, with Mr Davies adding he will vote against his government.

He said: “It’s desperate for the local economy, particularly for the hospitality industry, it is absolutely catastrophic.

“My heart goes out to the businesses and the people working for them. It’s desperate for them. This will absolutely be the final straw for many of them.”

Meanwhile, the boss of Bradford Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says he is extremely worried about the future of the district’s pubs and bars as Tier 3 looms.

Peter Down, acting chairman of Bradford CAMRA, said: “I’m very concerned and worried about the hospitality trade in our area.

“This could impact bars and pubs in Bradford for a very, very long time.”