PUB landlords in the city say their trade has been hit thanks to the recent lockdown restrictions that forces pubs and restaurants to close at 10pm.

Pubs are also now restricted by law to table service only, while customers have to wear masks, apart from when sat at their table.

Joe Ensor, who owns The Dragon Inn on the Tything, says the mask rule seems silly.

He said: “We are not really a late night pub but we have lost 90 minutes of trading a day which does have an impact on the bottom line.

“It is obviously crazy to kick everyone into the street at the same time with potential for crowding as everyone wants the same bus/taxi/train or off licence.

“We have had no problems asking people to leave but have had to refuse some groups service as they were larger than six people.

“Reminding people to wear masks has been an annoyance especially as it seems so silly.

“We might have to turn more people away at our busiest times as those who might usually have a later drink are being forced to drink at peak times.”

Matthew Bradley, owner of The Firefly in Lowesmoor added: "The first weekend went alright. I opened the pub with a 10pm curfew back in July and that crept back to midnight in August. It’s an absolute joke to me.”

Mark Daniels, who runs the Brewers Arms with wife Debbie, said the curfew would hurt his trade.

Mr Daniels said: “Six in a group, masks, they are good things and make sense.

“But as far as the curfew is concerned, the safest place to drink is in a pub.

“I’m losing 14 hours a week now, that last hour at weekends is a considerable trade.”

Meanwhile Boris Johnson is coming under intense pressure to rethink his 10pm curfew after chaotic closing-time scenes led to warnings that it is causing “more harm than good.”

The imposition of early closing in England on Thursday has been followed by images of large numbers of drinkers spilling out of pubs and crowding streets and public transport in cities across the country.

Labour demanded a rapid review of the 10pm to 5am hospitality closure orders, with shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth questioning “how effective they will be in containing the virus.”

What are your thoughts on the curfew?