A RESTAURANT boss says businesses in Inverclyde are being unfairly penalised by the latest shutdown.

Bars and restaurants closed their doors on Friday evening and will stay that way until October 25.

Kevin Blamire, marketing and hospitality manager at the Kip Marina in Inverkip, says the district is being unfairly targeted given its Covid statistics.

He fears this latest blow would have a disastrous impact on the licensed trade locally.

Kevin said: "Having previously been tarnished with the 'Covid capital' title, Inverclyde is now suffering with being included with Glasgow and the central belt which has a much higher infection rate.

"Restaurants and pubs in Inverclyde have gone to great lengths and, at a significant cost, to provide safe and secure facilities for our customers.

"We are now being forced to shut our doors when the infection rate locally is one of the lowest in the country."

Mr Blamire said it was too early to say if there would be redundancies at marina's popular Chartroom premises.

Kevin told the Telegraph: "It's too early to say - the Scottish Government announced the closure of restaurants and pubs but haven't yet given any details of the support they will be offering to help us to maintain jobs.

"We will have to carefully consider the options when we finally receive the details.

"We are a responsible employer locally but this latest lockdown has the potential to be disastrous for the hospitality industry as a whole."

The Chartroom boss also fears that the latest lockdown will be counter-productive in the battle against coronavirus..

Kevin said: "From a common sense perspective, this policy seems doomed to inspire house parties and a potential rise in infections, rather than encourage the use of safer, properly regulated and compliant hospitality venues."

Other licensed premises have also hit out at the blanket ban imposed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Brett Clough, of Gourock's Cardwell Bar, says trade has already been damaged by existing restrictions.

He said: "I am not happy.

"We were already suffering with 10pm closing and the 'two households' rule.

"Everyone will have to go back on furlough now and I'll have to pay 20 per cent."

Brett said he has already cut his staff down to a bare minimum of eight.

He added: "Hopefully we will re-open on October 25 without restrictions.

"We are better being closed than opening until 6pm like in other areas.

"That just wouldn't be worth it.

"I think it would be better not to re-open until we can open without any restrictions.

"At least when we are closed we don't have the same gas and electricity costs.

"The rent had been charged at 50 per cent but that had crept up again too.

"I just don't know what will happen.

"Hospitality has had a fair amount of support but nightclubs and small pubs have been badly hit.

"I think a lot of pubs won't re-open at all."