Coronavirus: Wetherspoon's boss vows to keep Doncaster pubs open saying shutdown is 'over the top'

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning, Tim Martin, the chairman of UK pub giant JD Wetherspoons, said a shutdown would be ‘over the top’.

Mr Martin – whose company owns around 900 pubs and employs 37,000 people – said they should stay open but with increased 'social distancing’ in place, like Parliament.

He said: “Parliament is open and everyone says, 'yes, sensible'.

“I think it's the same, I don't think you can shut down all pubs and shops indefinitely.

“I think the sensible balance is for pubs to open but implement social distancing measures in pubs.

“I don't think a shut down is sensible policy, it's over the top.”

He said people could be discouraged from standing at the bar or sitting further apart in the pub.

Wetherspoons has five pubs in Doncaster – The Gate House and Red Lion in Doncaster town centre. The Old Market Hall in Mexborough, The Running Horse at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and The Queens Head at Maltby.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to stop going to pubs, restaurants and theatres but stopped short of enforcing a ban.

But others, such as Doncaster MP and former Labour leader Ed Miliband, are calling for stronger action from the Government.

On Twitter, he said: “As well as a comprehensive economic package tomorrow, the government surely now should be ordering the shutdown of cafes, pubs, restaurants etc.

“There is no good explanation of why not and it is undermining social distancing.”

Other Doncaster venues are also staying open – including the Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

It is understood a number of pubs are also expecting to open their doors across the course of the weekend – traditionally one of Doncaster’s busiest periods for drinkers.

Mr Martin's stance was criticised on social media after the interview.

James Melville said keeping so many pubs open during the crisis was ‘grossly irresponsible’.

And Piers Morgan described Martin’s words as 'insane stupidity’.