THE landlord of The Waggon and Horses pub in Chorley Road, Westhoughton, has warned he may have only one week left before he has to close unless the current coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

The pub boss said the hospitality trade in Bolton was being “left in limbo” as 10pm curfews were brought in across England while the town’s pubs, bars and restaurants remained closed apart from for takeaway.

“You push your MP and he ignores you and the council have no answers either,” he said. “We’re sat here and all the pubs are open a mile away and I’m going out of business.

“Why would I stop here for a takeaway when I can drive past for a mile and go for a meal in a pub?

“I get the fact that someone has to be on the border but it’s a bit ridiculous.”

Some pub owners say the earlier closing time of 10pm will have a huge effect on their trade, but The Waggon’s landlord disagrees.

He said: “Why are we only the town in England where pubs are shut?

“I would be over the moon if I could open from noon to 10pm as most of my customers have left by then.

“I only took on the pub last year and we were here a few months when we had to shut down for 15 weeks.

“I’ve dragged this pub back onto its feet after it was in the dumps and got the right amount of good staff.

"But now they are all leaving because they need wages.

"I’m very angry.”