HOSPITALITY and entertainment have been in the front line and taken some of the hardest shots in the battle against Covid-19 in Tenbury.

For pubs and restaurants there have been a series of closures and even when allowed to reopen restrictions that have made it challenging to make money.

In some cases pubs and restaurants in the town have been able to salvage something with providing take away food.

During the summer things were eased somewhat for those with outdoor areas.

Chris and Sarah Whitehead, who run the Rose and Crown in Burford, have spoken of the challenges resulting from having to operate under social distancing that has limited the number of customers.

They have also spoken of the impact of having lost important events like the summer music festival that had become a feature of the pub’s year.

Mr Whitehead has said that the Government’s ‘Eat out to Help out’ scheme in August provided a boost but his hopes that something similar would follow in the autumn were not met.

Despite the huge challenges many pubs and restaurants have been supporting their communities.

This has resulted in the Fountain Inn in St Michael’s being nominated for a national parliamentary award in recognition of its work for the community. As part of this there were special concessions for children’s meals during the October half-term after the Government decided not to offer free school meals for the vulnerable.

It has been a very difficult year for the Regal in Tenbury although in 2021 audiences will be able to enjoy a newly fitted out auditorium and other improvements.

The Regal was extensively damaged in the February floods and there has been a major refurbishment project on the listed building. This included putting in completely new seating.Work was finished but hopes to reopening in November were dashed by the second lockdown. Tenbury Pump Rooms was also badly damaged in the floods.