A Grantham area landlord has explained the continued plight facing his and other similar businesses as the country edges towards 'Freedom Day'.

Nick Holden, who runs the popular Geese & Fountain at Croxton Kerrial with partner Kate Ahrens, has again take to Facebook to explain the situation.

The couple said on Facebook that the government aims to end restrictions on Monday July 19, though it has yet to announce the details. The couple plan to announce what will change at the pub but they wanted to let people how lockdown has affected the business.

They said: "This has been an incredibly difficult 16 months, and much as we'd love to believe that the easing of restrictions means the end is in sight, for many people it isn't.

"While numbers are much lower than at the peaks of the pandemic, Covid is still present and can be a seriously debilitating illness, particularly for those with longstanding health conditions."

"However, the end of restrictions also means a decrease in the support that we have as a business from the government. Our landlords are already expecting rent in full, despite a national downturn in trade.

"We, like many others, are between a rock and a hard place. The pub needs to be trading (with plenty of customers) in order to pay bills, wages and rent, but with half our customers desperate to go back to sitting at the bar with no masks, and the other half nervous or unable to come back to the pub while cases are on the rise, it's difficult to know how we should move forward."

Their Facebook post continued: "We do miss the friendly hum of a busy bar and a full pub but we're also concerned for our own health, as well as our staff and customers.

"We will be trying our utmost to balance the needs of everyone, and greatly appreciate your patience while we navigate this process."

During the pandemic the award-winning pub has been selling growlers of beer for £6 along with cans and bottles, which can also be delivered. It has also been offering take-away meals. It also sells gift vouchers.

The post added: "We'll be doing everything we can to support our staff and customers and we hope you'll help us to do so."

Last Autumn, the couple spoke of an 'existential crisis' facing their business, as previously reported by Nub News.

And when the second lockdown was announced, this also ruined its plans for December.

Lockdown would also be the 'deathknell' of the pub industry, were among other heartfelt comments the couple posted on Facebook throughout the pandemic.