PUBS in Worcester faced a rather grim Bank Holiday Monday with rain threatening to wash out trade.

A number of the city's pubs were forced to close or only offer a limited service as the strong winds and heavy rain meant outdoor dining was unlikely to take off.

Craig Finn, owner of Belgian beer cafe TripelB Belgian Beer Cafe in Copenhagen Street, wasn't able to open up his business on Bank Holiday Monday due to the weather, and he also had to close yesterday afternoon after the rain started to pour once again.

On Tuesday afternoon, he said: "We didn’t just lose a days’ worth of trade, but a bank holiday and obviously that’s quite a bumper day ordinarily.

"As well as losing the bank holiday, we’re just starting a slow close down now actually as it’s just started pouring down.

"It was always going to be pot luck with the British weather - the rain certainly hasn’t helped us, but you could make a case for saying it’s better than being completely closed.

We’re very much looking forward to reopening indoors and taking another big step towards normality. Having two weeks of good weather has been a great help but if we're now heading into a rainy spell we’ll continue to lose trade until the 17 May and indoor reopening."

The Alma Tavern did not welcome alfresco diners due to the inclement weather, but did remain open for deliveries and takeaways.

A post on the pub's Facebook page said: "Due to the weather we have taken the decision to close alfresco, but we are doing deliveries and collections until 2pm."

Also in Worcester, the Olive Branch in Church Street could not open due to the weather, with the restaurant posting on Facebook to let customers know.

The Bluebell Inn at Barnards Green was another affected by the adverse weather, with the outdoor seating at the pub having to be closed on both Monday and Tuesday.

A post on its Facebook page said: "Due to the poor weather again and lack of sheltered seating, we have made the decision to stay closed today.

"We are in the process of contacting guests who are booked in to rearrange. Apologies for any inconvenience."

The Barn Owl in Warndon was another Worcester pub affected by the weather, with the pub having to close early on Monday due to the poor weather before re-opening on Tuesday in normal hours.

In addition, Brown's at the Quay and the Oak Apple both remained closed on Monday due to the poor weather.

Despite this, one landlord who kept his pub open said business had been good.

Nigel Smith, landlord of both The Cardinal's Hat in Worcester and The Fleece Inn at Bretforton, said they remained open, but that he was still looking forward to May 17 when they will be able to allow customers in.

He said: "We were definitely quieter than normally on a Bank Holiday, but because we have a lot of cover, we were able to remain open.

"Because of the heaters and coverings, the decision to stay open was definitely worthwhile.

"We do takeaway too so even if people didn't want to sit down, they could take food away.

"Although it was fairly quiet, it wasn't unusual for a Bank Holiday because we do usually get some unusual weather."

Mr Smith added everyone at the two pubs he runs was looking forward to May 17.

He added: "It is going to be really important for the industry when people can come back in.

"Hopefully the weather will be a bit nicer too by then, so people can sit outside or inside.

"The reopening is all good news for the industry as we all need to get back on our feet.

"We have invested in technology to help keep people safe - the first few weeks back were extraordinarily busy.

"We had the same amount of visitors as we normally would in an August weekend in both pubs.

"I think people were understandably keen to get out after lockdown and to enjoy themselves.

"Even with this, we keep one eye on Covid-safety at all times."

The rest of this week will see more of the inconsistent weather experienced in Worcester over the last few days.

Intermittent sun and showers will dominate most of the weather, with more uncertainty likely for anyone planning to eat outside this week.

Thursday will start with patchy cloud and sunny spells, with a scattering of showers.

Showers will become more frequent in the afternoon.

Friday morning will be mostly dry with plenty of sunshine, but some heavy showers will develop in the afternoon. Turning cloudier from the southwest overnight.

Heavy rain will move in on Saturday morning, but clear to the east later.