A family-run brewery has closed its taproom due to the latest Covid-19 restrictions.
Tinhead Brewery was set up on the Bradley Fold Industrial Estate, between Bolton and Bury, almost four years ago by Neil Walton and his dad Nick.
Just under two years ago, they opened up a taproom which became a popular bar for craft beer lovers in the area to come and try new drinks or have a chat. Several of Nick and Neil's family members also help out working in the taproom, serving customers.
Earlier this week, the government imposed additional restrictions on the hospitality industry, meaning that staff and customers in pubs now have to wear a mask unless they are sat at a table.
In a post on Facebook, Neil Walton announced that the brewery has now made the difficult decision to close the taproom from 10pm on Saturday (September 26).
He wrote: "This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly but feel we can no longer be the brewery taproom we always have been.
"We can no longer have a chat with you at the bar, we can no longer find time to show you the brewery or have a game of darts with you, we can no longer join you for a chat and a pint.
"We didn’t open the taproom to just be another pub, it’s not what we’re about but feel that the current laws are making us head that way."
The brewery just about falls within the borough of Bury, which means that is allowed to operate with table service, as opposed to pubs in Bolton, which are only allowed to offer takeaway.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News , Neil said he feels guilty making the choice to close when bars in Bolton have had the choice taken out of their hands.
He added: "I feel terrible on the guys in Bolton, a lot of whom are my friends, because they've been forced to shut and we're closing on our own terms. They'll be desperate to open and it really feels that they've been forgotten about by everybody.
"It wasn't an easy choice to make by any means. We only opened back up on September 1 because we wanted to make sure that all the customers were safe but within two weeks it's all changed.
"It would just feel like a job rather than interacting with friends and that's not what we want it to be like so we had a big family discussion and decided to close after the weekend."
Earlier this month, popular Bolton pub The Alma closed its doors and Neil thinks many others will follow suit if more support is not given.
"I do worry for pubs," he said.
"Especially small brewery-bars and craft beer bars because we all want to interact with our customers. I can imagine quite a few will end up closing their doors.
"I hope it doesn't happen and we're fortunate that we can still trade as a brewery but my fear is that some smaller places will close their doors.
"It's heartbreaking really."
Tinhead Brewery will continue to do weekly deliveries and are in the process or sorting out a collections service.
For more information, visit the Tinhead Brewery Facebook page.
