A restaurant and bar in Sunderland has closed temporarily due to tough coronavirus restrictions.
Steven Atkinson, who runs the Alexandra Steakhouse on Queen Alexandra Road, in Sunderland, announced it would temporarily close its doors after a "testing year."
He previously closed Thorney Close Inn on Thorndale Road after revealing it was cheaper to stay closed than open.
In a statement, the bar said: "We are sorry and sad to announce that we will be closing our doors temporarily.
"This year has tested us all so much and with Government updates and further restrictions in place as well as more expected imminently, we feel this is the best decision at the moment.
"We will be reviewing this weekly unless we are told anything else in the meantime.
"We want to thank our customers who have still been visiting us and we are doing our absolute best to keep you all safe!
"We all have families and loved ones to protect so stay safe everyone and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!"
The North East was put in the 'high tier' of restrictions meaning people must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, including pubs.
However, the Government wants the North East to agree to tougher local lockdown restrictions, which would mean pubs and bars closing, and a ban on meeting people from other households in gardens would be re-imposed.
Steven previously said: "The Thorney is a big part of the community we've done customers birthdays, engagements, christenings and weddings.
"The Alexandra has been there since the 1930s, it's a huge part of the community too.
"It wasn't always a family-friendly pub but we've made it a place where you can sit with your kids.
"I've had the Alexandra 10 years and the Thorney Close five years, it's my life."
Steven said he has lost hundreds of thousands of pounds due to Covid-19.
He said: "We've got guys who have grown up together, retired together and just done everything together and now they can't sit at the same table and have a pint they have to sit on different tables.
"This is a place for people to come and see their friends. We've got one guy who sits in all day and nurses two pints because he's here for the social side of it.
"I've had to take on a second job of fitting conservatories just so I can pay my bills and staff. We will probably only be able to keep going for about two and a half months but we will keep on fighting."
