BAR owners have spoken out on the continuing issue of Covid-19 closing their bars.

Craig Finn, owner of TripelB Belgian Beer Café in Copenhagen Street, said: “When we open obviously depends on the Government but if we go past, say, June, and we are still in lockdown, then we would need to rely on Government support. The grants sound great but there are still big bills to pay as a business.

“We can’t do off sales, which is a shame, as this would help us.”

Some beer not used will have to be thrown away, but unopened barrels can be given back to the brewery and monies re-credited.

Sue Law who manages The Holt Fleet in Holt Heath, said: “The brewery will credit us for unopened barrels.

“We’re safe and have finances for another year if needed and we’ve been using the time to make refurbishments to the pub, including the garden area and we’ve just bought a wedding car for our wedding package.

“We’ve also been updating our menu - it’s nice spending more time with family but we haven’t been sitting around doing nothing.

“We had a big reopening last July when we could open again, and we’ll do the same when this lockdown comes to an end.”

Tier three restrictions ban households from mixing indoors and outdoors but up to six people could meet in outdoor spaces such as parks or public gardens.

Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, soft play areas and bingo halls have all been forced to close.

Lockdown measures will remain in place until at least March 8, Boris Johnson indicated as he earmarked that date for the reopening of England’s schools.

The March date is based on progress in vaccinating the most vulnerable groups in society by mid-February and then giving the jab time to take effect.