Burnley bar owner calls on Prime Minister to order shutdown on pubs and clubs to stop them going under as coronavirus crisis deepens

Madge Nawaz, who owns Remedy Gin Bar in Burnley town centre, has called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to shut everything down so that bars and clubs can claim on their business insurance if they were forced to close.

Madge said: "Unfortunately we all need to carry on as normal and hopefully we can cover our outgoings.

"But I can see already that some of our friends are struggling financially and may not recover."

Pointing out that small venues, privately owned and run bars, pubs, bistros and other entertainment venues were the 'lifeblood' of communities Madge pointed out that many of them had no choice but to stay open adding: "Everyone has the same view locally.

"If the government forced a closedown at least businesses could stay afloat and could be compensated so they can pay wages and other outgoings."

Madge also said that due to the government's 'avoid' advice insurance companies were being 'let off the hook.'

He said; "The only job of insurance companies is to provide back up when things go wrong.

"They have taken premiums from us year after year and have rarely had to pay out so if they are let off the hook what is the point of their existence?"