PEOPLE will finally be allowed back in the pub today as the four week lockdown has officially come to an end - however under the new Tier 2 restrictions only those that are serving 'a substantial meal' can operate.

While some Worcester publicans have adapted by joining forces with local takeaways or have created a new menu others say the Tier system has 'destroyed their business.'

Will Bradley owner of The Alma Tavern on Droitwich Road, said: "We have taken the decision to open Thursday as we are still digesting the information and today we are doing staff training to get everyone ready.

"Tier 2 is really a kick in the teeth with all the money and training spent on making The Alma Tavern safe for customers and staff yet all the hoops we jump through is still not enough when you compare shops with no track and trace touching of products. We sanitise everything before and after each customer to keep them safe.

"Financial help has been shocking. The loss of revenue which we won’t get back will hit hours for staff and future investment at The Alma Tavern.

"Now we hear extended opening hours for shops some pictures we’ve seen of over crowding really makes us sad. We, the hospitality industry, take the brunt of it all.

"The rates in hospitality are so low showing the hard work has paid off, but compare the rates in shops and education where it’s much much higher makes no sense to us.

"As a team we will do what we can for our community and can only hope more financial help for hospitality.

"There was a quote from Boris saying he had to save Christmas for families. Does he not realise behind every sole trader and hospitality owner there’s a family too, who will struggle now for Christmas."

Jackie Barry, owner of the Northwick Arms in Worcester, said: "We can't open as we are wet led. It would not be a viable proposition to start food at this time as we would be very limited on numbers. The cost of opening would out strip the benefit of opening.

"It's a total disaster. We were promised a two week lockdown in March. That turned into three months. We were then told four weeks in November. Once again we have been lied to and now are forced to remain closed.

"The business is destroyed. I am not sure what the future holds. I just hope that the larger chains adhere to the rules

"I can accept the need to protect vulnerable people. However, destroying people's livelihoods just creates more vulnerable people."

Craig Finn, owner of Belgian beer cafe Tripel B in Copenhagen Street, said: "As well as breakfast, brunch and lunch, we'll now be serving evening meals. This week we'll open Wed- Sun and then review this as we go.

"We've expanded our food menu, so as well as all current favourites we now have more GF, vegetarian and vegan options.

"We'll continue to allow 'walk-ins' but we're now also going to accept reservations by phone and email.

"Given that we're currently in Tier 2, there can be no mixing of households inside, so we're asking our customers to be honest with us and themselves and continue to follow the rules we already had in place for face-masks, hand sanitisation, social distancing and contactless payments."

Joe Ensor, manager of The Dragon Inn on the Tything said: "We've prepared a simple affordable menu of winter warmers for the evenings and filled rolls for lunchtime. I know our customers are keen to come back but we are not ordinarily a restaurant so we'll have to see how popular we are if people have to eat.

"The single household rule for inside the pub might be a challenge. I'm not sure how well people understand this but interestingly most of our bookings so far have been for the garden. We just want people to have a safe, enjoyable experience here, but it will be hard work for us."