THE severity of the forthcoming lockdown could be the death knell of hospitality businesses on Anglesey according to MP Virginia Crosbie.

Mrs Crosbie has written to First Minister Mark Drakeford expressing dismay at the harshness of the lockdown restrictions which she says are not proportionate to the number of cases being reported on the island and elsewhere in North Wales.

“She said: I have received a large number of emails from people on Anglesey concerning the recent announcement about the next Welsh lockdown. My constituents and I are dismayed at the severity of the restrictions that will be imposed and feel that the steps being taken are not proportionate to the cases being reported in North Wales.

“This is particularly true on Anglesey where our rate per 100,000 population is just 27.1. Over the border to England, where there is a more localised approach, Herefordshire – which has around 50 cases per 100,000 - will move from Tier 2 to Tier 1 this weekend. If this approach was applied to Anglesey, hospitality and leisure businesses would be permitted to open, places of worship could hold services, indoor and outdoor performances could take place, sports could be played and travel would not be restricted.

“Anglesey is so reliant on its hospitality and leisure sector that this move by the Welsh Government could sound the death knell for hundreds of businesses which have worked so hard to comply with regulations, retain staff and keep their customers safe this year. This is completely unnecessary and a disservice to the people of Anglesey.”

The letter to the First Minister, which has been signed by Conservative MPs across North Wales, asks him to reconsider his position on a Wales wide lockdown. At the same time Mark Isherwood, AM for North Wales, is pursuing the matter within the Senedd.