byjuly, nearly all remaining restrictions were lifted in england. but they came with a warning from the prime minister that life would not instantly revert to normal. but that initial excitement gave way to a realisation that the pandemic was far from over. tighter restrictions remained in wales, scotland and northern ireland, and in december, england reintroduced some rules, moving to its so—called plan b, and as omicron cases began to rise, so, too, did cancellations. many hospitality firms reported a slump in christmas bookings as fears of a new wave of infection convinced customers to stay at home. michael represents the night—time industries, bars, music venues and nightclubs, and he told me firms had learned to adapt, but many