A pub owner has launched a campaign appealing to the government to provide more support to local pubs with the introduction of new restrictions.
Anthony Payne, the owner of the Ox & Plough in Washington, has said his pub has been struggling with a high rise of operation costs and the reduction of trading.
After the initial Covid-19 lockdown announcement in March, businesses from the hospitality sector were forced to close with pubs like Ox and Plough having closed for four months.
This month the North East has faced several local restrictions with pubs and restaurants, along with other hospitality venues, having to close between 10pm and 5am.
The most recent local restriction is now banning anyone from different households mixing in any setting including pubs and restaurants.
Anthony said: "We closed the pub at the start of the pandemic and stayed closed for four months. We were allowed to open back in July, but we've struggled financially.
"Since our reopening, we've struggled with increasing operational costs and the reduction in trade."
Anthonyclaims he has seen a negative impact on his business, he said: "The government announced a series of changes that were implemented on September, 14 that had already created additional social pressure on our communities.
"This alone resulted in a reduction in trade across the pub industry. Personally, I have observed a 50% reduction in trade already as a result.
"Along with this, the North East councils joined forces, to implement a targeted set of stricter rules for the North East region as a whole.
"The result of this has further compounded the social pressure on our communities, resulting in less people going out."
The Washington pub owner has contacted representatives around the North East and in government to gain support for his campaign.
He said: "We have already observed enforced closures in other areas like Bolton in Greater Manchester. The government responded to this by implementing further grants and support.
"I've contacted several MPs and council leaders from around the North East to raise awareness for the issue and to ask for similar support.
"However, I haven't heard much back. I'm in full support of doing what we can to combat this virus and minimise its spread. But they need to consider the financial and economic impact this is having on small businesses like mine.
"We need to find the right balance, between combating the spread of the virus as well as providing support for our local businesses so we aren't left with the decision to close down completely."
Anthony is now calling for the support of other pubs around the North East in his campaign for more financial support for smaller businesses.
"We haven’t yet fully recovered from being closed for nearly four months and are now faced with reduced revenue, increased costs and further major disruption to our trade.
"Pubs like mine will start to close for good without the support from our Local Authorities and Government.
"I'm asking pubs around the North East who are in the same position as myself, to join in and support the campaign."
