The Welsh First Minister has said he is “intensely relaxed” following reports he could be banned from multiple pubs in North Wales for life.
Mark Drakeford, who is stepping down in March, claims he is not worried about the potential ban as hospitality businesses are not in “any danger” of him visiting.
In December 2020, the West Conwy Pub Watch wrote an open letter to Drakeford informing him he was banned from certain pubs after some landlords deemed new Covid restrictions as too extreme.
Chairman of Llandudno Pub Watch and vice-chairman of West Conwy Pub Watch, Phil Ashe, has suggested the First Minister would struggle to find a pint in 90 pubs in North Wales.
Mark Drakeford, who is stepping down in March, claims he is not worried about the potential ban as hospitality businesses are not in 'any danger' of him visiting
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Ashe previously said he and fellow publicans were “extremely happy” to hear the Welsh Labour leader was resigning and claimed retail and service businesses had become a “punching bag” for his policies.
However, when asked about his thoughts on the lifetime ban, Drakeford said: “I find myself intensely relaxed at this.
“They are not in any danger of me visiting, so they can be relaxed as well.”
Ashe said many hospitality businesses have been left unhappy following the new default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas among issues influenced by Welsh Government.
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"Mark Drakeford is not welcome in our pubs, and he never will be because of the damage he caused all the pubs during the pandemic," he told the BBC.
"We currently have 90 odd members, and Mark Drakeford is still barred.
"Most pubs and businesses are still struggling because of him."
Yesterday, Drakeford sparked fury over a pub and restaurant tax hike, which has been described as the “final nail in the coffin” to the already struggling industry.
Mark Drakeford sparked fury over a pub and restaurant tax hike, which has been described as the 'final nail in the coffin' to the already struggling industry
PABusiness rates for the hospitality sector will increase as part of Drakeford’s plan to direct more money into Wales’ faltering health service.
In a draft budget published on Tuesday, the Welsh government said the NHS would see an extra £450million come its way.
To cover this additional money, business rate reliefs for pubs, shops and restaurants will be cut from 75 per cent to 40 per cent.