Council leaders across Staffordshire have written to PM Boris Johnson to appeal against prolonging the county's placement in Tier 3 of Covid-19 restrictions, saying the restrictions are causing severe damage to the local hospitality and tourism sector.

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White, together with all eight district and borough council leaders, say that while they understand the Government's position, infection rates have been falling in all areas in the county. The Government is due to review the area restrictions next Wednesday (December 16th).

Hospitality, tourism and supporting sectors are worth £1.85bn per annum to the county economy and employ 33,000 people. Staffordshire is home to major attractions such as Alton Towers, Drayton Manor Park and the National Memorial Arboretum in addition to hundreds of small businesses including cafes, coffee shops and small brewers.

The leaders say the hospitality sector provides people with a safe, well-managed and regulated place to relax and enjoy responsibly.

In a joint statement, the Staffordshire council leaders said: "It is essential that the Government considers the wider impact these restrictions are having on local economies, and the wider determinants of health such as mental health and wellbeing.

"We need to ensure that restrictions now are not planting the seed for serious financial and health issues post pandemic.

"As we look to our future economic recovery, it is vital that our hospitality and tourism businesses remain as going-concerns, able to continue to contribute to the public purse and provide valuable employment opportunities at a time when other sectors, such as retail, are contracting.

"The review of tiers on 16 December presents the perfect opportunity to move Staffordshire from Tier 3 to Tier 2."