A Grantham area publican has warned that the national lockdown will see "the deathknell of the pub industry."

Nick Holden of the Geese and Fountain in Croxton Kerrial also warns that planned restrictions also spell 'disaster' for breweries.

The warnings came just as the much-loved pub, famous for its real ales and dining, made the 2021 CAMRA Good Beer guide.

Mr Holden, who has been open about problems the pandemic has caused to his and other hospitality businesses, made his comments on the Facebook page of Vale of Belvoir MP Alicia Kearns.

The publican commented: "The new restrictions are going to be the death knell of the pub industry. It may be that the lockdown is essential, I'm not going to argue otherwise, but when the Prime Minister announced the new approach, he specifically said that pubs could continue to stay open for takeaway - but the rules now published by the government say that "takeaway of alcohol will not be permitted".

"This is perverse. Not only will it mean that pubs will be unable to sell the stock we've already bought and paid for, but it puts small businesses at a massive disadvantage (again) as against supermarkets, who presumably will be allowed to continue to sell alcohol as part of their 'essential' product range.

He begged the MP, whom he said he would contact directly about the issue: "Please, Alicia, before this gets rubber stamped on Wednesday, get that restriction removed.

"Small breweries, like those in your constituency (five, I think, if I'm counting correctly), who cannot get distribution in supermarkets, rely on bottle shops and pubs for a route to market. If we can't sell alcohol for takeaway, then the breweries as well as the pubs, will be facing disaster."

In another post on the Geese and Fountain's own Facebook Page, Mr Holden spoke further of the impact of the impending lockdown on his own business.

He said: "Just when we were starting to feel a bit more positive about our situation, thanks to improved trade from the last couple of weeks, and so much generosity being shown in relation to the free school meals issue, the Prime Minister has brought our world crashing down around us again tonight."

He added: "Lots of thinking and planning going on tonight, as we're determined to keep the light on somehow."

• Nub News is keen to help all our businesses survive the second lockdown. Any pubs or other hospitality businesses planning any initiatives such as a clearance sale of surviving stock, or re-opening as village stores, etc, please email what you are planning to [email protected]