Cross-border Covid restrictions 'killing pub profits'

Mark and Chelly Jones said Christmas was a "disaster"

A pub landlady says strict coronavirus restrictions in Wales have "killed" profits, as customers are expected to head across the border to England to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Restrictions are in place in Welsh pubs and restaurants, while clubs are shut.

Chelly Jones, of the Stanton House Inn, in Chirk, Wrexham, said the pub was struggling because of the different restrictions.

People wanting to party only have to walk a mile into Shropshire, she said.

Groups of no more than six people can meet in pubs, cinemas and restaurants in Wales and the two-metre social distancing rule has returned to public places.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has asked those planning a trip to England to "think consciously and carefully" before travelling.

The Bridge Inn, a short distance from Chirk but over the border in Shropshire, England, where there are no restrictions, said it was hoping to prevent a rush of customers from Wales by selling tickets to its New Year's Eve celebrations.

Pub worker Sian Roberts said locals had told her they were "worried" about the expected influx of customers from Wales.

Sian Roberts, of The Bridge Inn, says their New Years Eve celebrations will be ticketed

Back in Chirk, just half a mile from the border, Mrs Jones, who runs the pub with husband Mark, said business over Christmas had been a "disaster".

"It's most definitely because of the different restrictions in England than in Wales," she said.

"There's a pub just across from us who are able to do whatever they want on New Year's Eve.

"We're in the middle of where they can party and we can't."

The Bridge Inn, in Shropshire, advertises itself as the "last pub in England"

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Lynda Leigh, landlady of the George and Dragon pub in the Welsh town of Flint, said it was shaping up to be one of her quietest New Year's Eves, calling the situation "absolutely farcical".

Explaining the pub would normally be full, she said she'd had to hire extra staff to wait on tables but was nowhere near fully-booked.

"Flint is like a ghost town," she added, "I've never been this quiet."

"I'm hearing stories of people hiring minibuses to go to Chester - those are people who could be coming here."

Lynda Leigh, of the George and Dragon pub in Flint, said she had never been as quiet

Zoe Ellis, co-owner of Palm Cocktail Bar, in Chester, close to the Welsh border, said she had seen a surge in bookings for New Year's Eve.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, she said: "I think it's to be expected. Of course people from Wales, Wrexham way, are going to come over to Chester; they would do on a normal New Year's Eve let alone how it is at the moment.

"I don't really think anyone's seeing it as a major issue. Everyone's still sticking to the guidelines where we are, so I think everyone's happy for people to come over - just try to be as sensible as possible but really enjoy the new year."