The new 'rule of six' will mean more cancelled bookings, say Scarborough holiday accommodation owners

From Monday, it will be illegal for more than six people to gather either indoors or outdoors in England.

The news has meant cancelled bookings for some owners of large holiday accommodation in the area who are already down this season from not being able to open until July.

Lynn Jackson, from Scarborough Hospitality Association, said: “An awful lot of them will have to cancel bookings that were moved on from earlier this year.

“They’ll have to move them on again.

“Some people are booking in 2022 at the moment because they don’t think all this will be over next year.”

Molly Coombs, who runs Grand Get-Togethers in Malton with her mother Joan, said the Government’s announcement yesterday had added to a chaotic year for the business.

Social gatherings have been limited to groups of six in England - these are the new rules

Their luxury accommodation sleeps between 12 and 16, and is ideal for big birthday celebrations, special occasions or reunions.

They were already operating at a limited capacity because only a maximum of two different households were allowed to stay overnight away from home.

“We’d cancelled bookings and then rearranged them but now we have to cancel them again,” she said.

“Some bookings are being moved to 2022 because we’re full for next year.

“Running our business at the moment is not very predictable at all . We’re getting this information at the same time as everyone else.”

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Grand Get-Togethers also host weddings but these too have been hit by the pandemic.

They currently have a small wedding booked for October. Molly said even a couple due to get wed in March are wondering whether to go ahead or postpone.

The Governement's new rule has forced Molly and her mum to rethink how they promote their business, and are now offering 'Bijou Breaks' - for a maximum of six people - for half price.

From Monday, any gathering of more than six people in England will be illegal, unless it meets one of a limited list of exemptions. This applies to gatherings both indoors and outdoors, and to all ages.

Anyone who breaks the rules on social gatherings will be fined £100, with the penalty doubling on each further repeat offence up to £3,200.

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