PUBS in Herefordshire have been making the difficult decision to close their doors as Herefordshire was plunged back into Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions.

Since Boxing Day, after just a week with relaxed restrictions, pubs have once again been told by the Government they can only serve alcohol with a substantial meal.

Rising infection rates, among other factors, in Herefordshire meant the county's stay in Tier 1 was shortlived, with just a week where punters could enjoy a drink in a pub without having to order a meal.

The decision by the Government, in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19 in Herefordshire, means some pubs have been forced to shut their doors.

Richard and Janet Abell, who recently took over the Three Horseshoes Inn at Little Cowarne near Bromyard, said they would go back to just offering a weekend takeaway service.

"As you know Herefordshire is now back in Tier 2 and this will be reviewed again on Wednesday," they said.

"We have therefore taken the difficult decision to close the restaurant again from Saturday and go back to takeaways.

"We will be open Thursday (New Year's Eve) and Friday (New Year's Day) unless Boris [Johnson] tells us otherwise. Thank you for your ongoing support."

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The Swan Hotel in Kington, run by Casey Floyd, also took the decision to close after the tier change was announced on December 23.

"Following the government announcement that Herefordshire will go into tier 2 on Boxing Day, we have made the decision to close from Christmas Day onwards," a spokesperson for the hotel in Church Street said.

"We will reopen again in the new year when we feel it is safe to do so."

They added: "We can’t thank our staff enough for their commitment and hard work through out what has been one of the hardest years for independent businesses.

"We are also massively grateful to every one of you who have drank with us and dined with us and allowed us to do what we do successfully and safely."

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Gordon Bennetts in Hereford also closed as the county moved back into Tier 2.

"Well it may have been shortlived but it has been fantastic to serve you all again this week," a spokesperson said on December 23.

"We are fully booked tonight and tomorrow. We were also fully booked for Boxing Day so I'm really sorry we have to let you down as we will now be closed on Boxing Day when Hereford returns to a Tier 2 status.

"All Boxing Day bookings are cancelled.

"Thank you all our truly amazing regulars for your support. It is a pleasure to serve you. We will look forward to serving you tonight and tomorrow and will then see you in 2021."

The next Tier review is set to be on Wednesday, with an announcement expected to be on Thursday.