A Northumberland coastal restaurant has been forced to close its doors for a week due to Covid-19, as cases rise in the county.
The Old Boat House, a popular Amble seafood restaurant with a 4.5 rating and hundreds of rave reviews on TripAdvisor, has informed customers it will be closed until next weekend after staff were ordered to self-isolate.
It comes as coronavirus cases rocket in Northumberland. Less than a month ago, case rates were in single figures, with Northumberland County Counci's Covid dashboard showing a rate of 6.56 cases per 100,000 people in the county.
But between June 2 and June 8 that figure stood at 76.81 per 100,000, with a total of 246 cases.
The number of people infected in Northumberland has risen week-on-week since May 17 as, nationally, experts fear the fast-spreading Delta variant may cause a delay to the much-anticipated June 21 reopening date.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, a spokesperson for the restaurant said: "Dear customers, unfortunately 'The Old Boat House' as had to close until Saturday June 19.
"We have had more than half of our staff asked to self-isolate after being contacted by NHS Track and Trace, therefore we can't bring you the food and service you would normally expect from us.
"As a company keeping people safe is our priority.
"We are now closed and will reopen at 11am on [June 19] and apologise for any inconvenience.
"Thank you for your understanding during these challening times."
The restaurant's sister site, the Fish Shack on Amble Harbour, remains open - and even played host to Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford as he toured through Northumberland on his bike on Thursday.
