Operators in the capital face renewed closure just two weeks after the reopens after months of closure across England, forcing them to close during the normally busiest week of the year.
In London there are 3.680 pubs, the figures reveal, and all are closed except lunches and pints from Wednesday during what has traditionally been one of the busiest weeks of the year.
"swift and decisive action"- Matt Hancock
Announcing the move in the Commons yesterday (December 14), Health Minister Matt Hancock said the government was being forced to take "swift and decisive action" after the high number of cases of coronavirus in the capital and the south-east.
The BBPA said that without significant additional government help, another 8.000 hospitality jobs would be at risk, on top of the 56.000 jobs already targeted in the London pub sector.
In response to the announcement UKHospitality says the decision to convert London and parts of the south-east to Tier 3 will drive more businesses out of business and endanger more jobs.
"another nail in the coffin for London's pubs"- chief executive
Head Emma McClarkin described London's redeployment to Tier 3 as "another nail in the coffin for London's pubs" and said the "survival of the great British pub as we know it hangs in the balance"
"Putting hospitality businesses back into lockdown, which is effectively what tier 3 amounts to, is not going to tackle increasing infection rates,"- Kate Nicholls
'Putting hospitality businesses back into lockdown, which is effectively what tier 3 amounts to, is not going to tackle increasing infection rates,' UKHospitality chief Kate Nicholls said.
McClarkin also asked for more aid to help the struggling hospitality supply chain.