Following the announcement of the new tier system today, big names in the restaurant sector have made their thoughts known.

Chef Tom Aikens - Founder Muse, Belgravia, commented, 'It seems that this time around there seems to have been a bit more thought put into the different tiering systems. The statistics show that hospitality is not the cause of the resurgence of the virus - as an industry we are strict with health and safety regulations anyway, and are the safest and most sanitised environments in which to meet.

'We've been used as the scapegoat for too long. We should be allowed to remain open, operating at our full capacity without the curfew - I really do question what that is really going to accomplish limiting last orders to 10pm. We should be given our full licence to run our venues and make as much revenue as we can - this year has been hard enough and the job losses catastrophic.

'This scaremongering has to stop - it's turning customers away. Let us operate fully and help build up the economy again. It's tough for small businesses as it is. Pubs and publicans, well they're really not going to have a happy Christmas.'

Michael Caines - Chef Patron Lympstone Manor, The Harbourside Refuge & The Cove, commented, 'For some areas it seems a bit unfair, but they have taken into account the capacity of the NHS when making the decision and we need to adhere to it.

'Naturally, I’m delighted to be Tier 1 in Cornwall and Tier 2 in Devon, whilst being incredibly sympathetic towards those placed into Tier 3. Hopefully we can all pull together to ensure things continue to improve.'

Sergey Men - Chef Patron Bisushima, Covent Garden, said, 'We're delighted to have been given the green light to open our doors to the public once again! it was heart-breaking to have to close after just two days of trading.

'We've been operating a takeaway and delivery service during lockdown which has been a great success and given the chefs some extra training, so they are all set and ready to go on the 2 December.

'Personally, I can't wait to welcome real customers into the restaurant, it's been an unconventional opening to say the least!'

Charlie Baxter - Co-founder of Pluma, Amersham, commented, 'We are surprised that we have been placed in tier 2 to be honest, we were expecting tier 1.

'This is going to have a huge impact on our trade over what is the most crucial month of the year for revenue in our sector. We're already getting cancellations. This is not good news.'

Brodie Meah - Co-founder Top Cuvee, London, said, 'Looking forward to welcoming all our lovely guests over the festive period, to eat, drink and be merry.

'I think with the news about being able to travel to see family over Xmas a lot of people will leave also be leaving London so we’ve ramped up our delivery service from the shop to ensure our customers can still get the wines they love no matter where they are in the country as well as send gifts to their loved ones too.'

Marcos Fernandez - Managing Director Iberica Restaurants and Arros QD, said, 'I am of the people that believe that the logical thing to do is to do short circuits during school holidays, when trade is already depressed.

'This way we maximise income and saving jobs. But as always this government is more focused on giving a jolly to the nation. Christmas is a small sacrifice to pay.'

Mohammad Paknejad - Co-founder Nutshell, Covent Garden, said, 'As expected, most of the country seems to have been placed in Tier 2 and Tier 3. What should have been the most prosperous period for hospitality venues across the country with all the festivities, will be another month of struggle for survival.

'We are all doing what we can and taking part in reducing pressure off the NHS and saving lives. Now, we need some help from the government in paying all the bills so we can save jobs and livelihoods.'