Windy - Playing budget, i.e. wages, is day to day expenditure. The point is we've separated stadium build costs from operational costs, and both are covered. Not overly concerned about us - although if I was Palmer I'd be worrying about how firm the 'pledged' NRST/debenture revenue is given today's news - I'm more concerned about having enough opposition (as we go through this period of self-inflicted harm)!

There was 9 of us in pub last night all older than me between 55-75 obviously on 2 separate tables ,none of us get to the pub till 10ish,pub normally closes 12am.talking last night about 4 said they wont bother coming in and have a nightcap at home.thats 12 ish pints down a night

Spit - Martin is right about one thing, and that’s the govt is useless. However, that’s as far as I’d go in terms of agreeing with his views - although you’re also right that schools (which everyone insisted must open) are far less easy places in which to ensure distancing than pubs, and that’s because children are a bit like drunk adults, they don’t really pay too much attention to guidelines and they just mix with their mates regardless. I think the pubs closing early idea is a fudge - they’re trying (and probably failing) to please the pub-goers, continue to collect alcohol taxes, and placate those demanding action..... “look, we took action - if it doesn’t work it’ll be your fault” kind of thing.

Do we really need all these silly rules? I can't imagine many oldies will go out on the piss all night.

I wonder if we are making any money out of home games on iFollow as several thousand get them free with their NRST/debenture. We'd also have to buy more than 500 passes for any away game to make anything, so I doubt that the club is budgeting to make much from iFollow.

Russ where it might impact is the kind of person who goes out at 9 and won't go out earlier, so they might figure not worth it for an hour. I don't think it's aimed at the ones who pretty much live there. I'd also wonder if this is step 1 of a series of reductions and then they'll stop when they hit the right level.

Lurker - all their moves are half measures which will change again in two weeks' time. After 3 hours in a pub, is the 4th hour going to have much of an impact? 'Diminishing rate of return' I'd imagine.

Also ensure you buy iFollow games via our website to ensure we get the dosh.

Russ from some of the previous (non pub) stuff over the last few months - length of exposure also increases risk. So reducing the hours might make some difference. But realistically I'd wonder is this a half way house in a no win situation and actually it's as much about trying to do something that keeps everyone happy. (Which it won't).

Lurker- totally agree, the more ifollow subscribers the better.

Pubs are not zero risk. Obviously the covid measures help a little though. I don't see what difference a 10pm closure will make vs closing at 11pm. Everyone has already mixed in the pub, in the pub toilets etc, one extra hour will make a negligible difference. They need to make more drastic measures and schools are going to be the main challenge.

that Colchester statement is enlightening to say the least. Although we've factored in no crowds we really need supporters buying into iFollow to generate cash.

surprised sky haven't signed him up, sounds like exactly the level of dramatising things they'd love

Haha, skys Adam Boulton outside parliament,guy with Placard, "king Jesus is coming Repent"

Whatever the government does some people will do whatever they want and some other people will excuse it by saying it's the governments fault. And until those thick cunts die out that isn't going to change. I mean we've got excuse making on the level of "I wasn't clear with all the different laws about killing people, so I thought the best response to being unclear was go out and stab 20 people. So it's the governments fault I killed 20 people." Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Just watch how many people say the rules were confusing and then rather than going "in that case I'll stick to the previous keep it over safe rules", they jump straight to doing whatever you want. Tells you all you need to know about why they're doing it.

First 2/3 weeks was poor,but been shit hot on it all since,helps having a doorman on

Be better to say the curfew to help stop an overload on ambulance, police workers.because I'm sure that's why it's being done.

spit pubs are meant to be - family member works opposite one. They had a table with track/trace registration and sanitiser in the door. Lasted about 2 days before everyone started walking past and ignoring it all.

Looking at at least 6 schools in sutton have had postive covid cases,have to say schools much more likely to get covid than pubs.pubs been open 11 weeks,schools only a few weeks.

RS - Whilst I'm certainly no great fan of how Tim Martin has conducted himself over the last few months, the stated staff infection rate (66 out of 41,564 staff over a 10 week period) [Link] looks pretty much in line with rates of infection across the wider population on a per head basis

Pubs are controlled environments with covid restrictions

I do think it is time that parliament debated and voted on the measures being taken rather than Johnson or Hancock just announcing them, even if it is retrospective to a degree. I think the mad libertarian fringe of Tories would be heavily defeated in votes.

Thanks for the re assurance KD/Trebor. Won’t panic until the spring.

Spit - same thing they'd do if they shut at 11pm?

Spit - Go to the off-licence/supermarket and then to homes in groups larger than six?